Cholesterol may influence Prostate Cancer Risk

A recent research has shown that men can lower their levels of prostate specific antigen, a protein that can warn of prostate cancer, by keeping down their cholesterol. According to Dr. Murugesan Manoharan, an join professor of urology at the University of Miami Sylvester Complete Cancer Center, prostate cancer is controlled by the male hormone testosterone, witch in its turn is formed by cholesterol molecules. Consequently prostate cancer is related to testosterone, and testosterone is linked to cholesterol. So by lowering cholesterol, you also lower PSA, which in revolve may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

However scientists admit that this small study is only the beginning and it does not confirm anything. Nevertheless researchers say that it is a very good start that could lead to something more at a later point.

For the study, researchers collected data on 1,214 men taking statins, a cholesterol-lowering drugs. The researchers found that PSA levels were lower after starting the statins, and the drop in PSA was proportional to the drop in cholesterol.

The researchers also noted that the results of the study confirm those of a previous study also demonstrating that the lowering cholesterol lowered PSA. So it can provide more evidence that cholesterol plays a role in the biology of the prostate.

However scientists point out that it's not still clear, , whether lowering PSA with cholesterol-lowering drugs may actually hide developing prostate cancer. "Bringing down the PSA levels artificially does not mean necessarily decreasing the chance of developing prostate cancer," Manoharan said. "It might just bring the blood test reading down without reducing the risk of prostate cancer. In fact, we could miss the prostate cancer, because the PSA readings are on the lower side." It is clear that the new discovery needs to be studied further.

It’s worth also saying that two other studies were presented at the same time, confirming that so-called "watchful waiting" of men with a low risk of prostate cancer is a good option. Watchful waiting actually means following a strategy in which no treatment is given, but the patient is monitored to check the progress of the cancer. But, the results of another study said that PSA exams and digital rectal exams aren't good predictors of the progress of prostate cancer. It was suggested that better monitors of the disease need to be developed.