Statins Slow Prostate Growth

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may slow prostate growth in men who have elevated PSA levels, according to a new analysis. The research, led by Duke University Medical Center, suggests statins may have beneficial effects on prostate health and provide a new way to treat men with enlarged prostates. Previous studies have linked statins to lower levels of PSA – prostate specific antigen, a protein often elevated by prostate cancer or other prostatic diseases. The new study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association, found the rate of prostate growth diminished among men with elevated PSA levels who took statins. Enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostate hyperplasia, causes urinary problems and can lead to bladder and kidney damage. Up to 90 percent of men over the age of 70 experience the condition, according to the National Institutes of Health. "Given that prostate enlargement is an important health problem in the United States and elsewhere, and will be a larger problem as the population ages, it's important to understand and treat its causes," said lead researcher Dr. Roberto Muller. Muller and colleagues tracked the health records of more than 6,000 men, including 1,032 who took statins. They found the prostate sizes were similar between statin users and non-users at the start of the study, but within two years those who took cholesterol-lowering drugs had less prostate growth. "We don't yet understand the mechanisms that might be causing this," Muller said. "Some have suggested that statins may have anti-inflammatory properties, and inflammation has been linked to prostate growth, but this needs further study." Muller said the findings also suggest that lifestyle choices such diet and exercise may not only affect cholesterol, but also prostate health.