Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume 52, Issue 2 , Pages 167-169, February 1999

Lipid-Lowering Medication and Risk of Cancer

  • Jørgen H. Olsen

      Affiliations

    • Danish Cancer Society, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Copenhagen, Denmark
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress for correspondence: Dr. J. H. Olsen, Danish Cancer Society, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100, Copenhagen Δ, Denmark
    • ,
  • Christoffer Johansen

      Affiliations

    • Danish Cancer Society, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Copenhagen, Denmark
    • ,
  • Henrik Toft Sørensen

      Affiliations

    • Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
    • Department of Medicine V, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
    • ,
  • Joseph K. McLaughlin

      Affiliations

    • International Epidemiology Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
    • ,
  • Lene Mellemkjær

      Affiliations

    • Danish Cancer Society, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Copenhagen, Denmark
    • ,
  • Flemming Hald Steffensen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Internal Medicine M, Aalborg Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
    • ,
  • Joseph F. Fraumeni Jr.

      Affiliations

    • Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

Accepted 1 September 1998.

Abstract 

Low or declining levels of serum cholesterol have been associated with increased mortality from cancer. We conducted a population-based cohort study of 1882 patients from one Danish county who received lipid-lowering drugs between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 1994. During the follow-up period of up to 4 years, 41 cancers were observed among users of lipid-lowering drugs, with 42.9 expected, to yield an age- and sex-standardized incidence ratio of 1.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.7–1.3). Although limited by small numbers and short follow-up period, examination by site of cancer and type of drug provided no evidence of an association. Further research is needed, however, with longer follow-up to assess more fully any potential cancer risk with these medications.

Keywords:  Lipid-lowering drugs, neoplasms, pharmacoepidemiology, cohort studies

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PII: S0895-4356(98)00147-4

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume 52, Issue 2 , Pages 167-169, February 1999

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