New evidence shows an association between low LDL cholestrol levels and cancer risk. This evidence comes out of a report published by a team led by Richard Karas, MD at Tufts University.The study was originally designed to understand the side effects of statins, including damage to liver and muscle cells. The team did not expect to find the increased cancer risk associated with low LDL levels and additional studies have begun to investigate this increase in risk further. A key question is whether the increased cancer risk is a side effect of the statins or a result of the low LDL levels.
The researchers found one additional incident of cancer per 1,000 individuals with low LDL levels when compared to individuals with higher LDL levels.
A link between LDL lowering and liver or muscle side effects was not found, however liver toxicity increased as the dose of the statin increased. The researchers conclude that moderate-dose statin therapy using multiple medications, including statins, may be preferable to high-dose statin therapy.
