The association between statin use and the diagnosis of prostate cancer in a population based cohort

J Urol. 2010 Aug;184(2):494-9. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2010.03.149. Epub 2010 Jun 17.

Abstract

Purpose: The effect of statin medication use on the risk of prostate cancer is unknown.

Materials and methods: We examined data from a longitudinal, population based cohort of 2,447 men between 40 and 79 years old who were followed from 1990 to 2007. Information on statin use was self-reported and obtained by biennial questionnaires. A randomly selected subset of men (634, 26%) completed biennial urological examinations that included serum prostate specific antigen measurements. Information on prostate biopsy and prostate cancer was obtained through review of community medical records.

Results: Of 634 statin users 38 (6%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer vs 186 (10%) of 1,813 nonstatin users. Statin use was associated with a decreased risk of undergoing prostate biopsy (HR 0.31; 95% CI 0.24, 0.40), receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis (HR 0.36; 95% CI 0.25, 0.53) and receiving a high grade (Gleason 7 or greater) prostate cancer diagnosis (HR 0.25; 95% CI 0.11, 0.58). Statin use was also associated with a nonsignificantly decreased risk of exceeding a prostate specific antigen threshold of 4.0 ng/ml (HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.35, 1.13). In addition, a longer duration of statin use was associated with a lower risk of these outcomes (all tests for trend p <0.05).

Conclusions: Statin use is associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer diagnosis. This association may be explained by decreased detection or cancer prevention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / blood
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / blood
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen