A large study from the New England Research Institutes found that men using statins had lower blood levels of androgens such as testoterone, however, it was more likely due to poor health than the use of the statins. This finding refutes previous findings that statins might cut prostate cancer risk by reducing the production of such male hormones that fuel cancer growth.

According to Susan A. Hall, Ph.D., this finding doesn't mean that statins aren't lowering prostate cancer risk through other pathways, but they are not lowering the risk through the reduction of male hormones.

A large, recent study found that men using statins were at lower risk of developing metastatic prostate cancer, especially if the statins were used long-term. Other studies have had mixed results according to Hall. Statins lower cholesterol and since cholesterol is required to produce male hormones, some researchers have theorized that statins may reduce production of these hormones, and hence prostate cancer.

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.