Statin prescriptions from 1997 to biopsy date were recorded. Data included date of initial prescription, date prescription discontinued or date of new prescription, daily dose and number of pills. The four most commonly used brands of statins were reviewed, including Lovastatin, Simvastatin, Fluvastatin and Atorvastatin. Researchers analyzed total days each statin was used at each prescribed does, cumulative dose of individual statins, average daily dose and total statin use. Statin data was merged with demographic data from the main case-control study.

The VA ™s electronic pharmacy provided a rich set of detailed data that allowed us to more accurately characterize the association between statins and prostate cancer risk, Shannon said. This data led us to unique findings about average daily statin dose and cumulative dose.

When statin use was grouped by duration and dose, those with a cumulative dose of more than 19 grams had lower risk of prostate cancer. Those with an average daily dose of more than 40 milligrams were at a lower risk of an elevated PSA as compared to subjects with an average daily dose below 40 milligrams. These results remained consistent when individual types of statins were analyzed separately.

While these data are suggestive, this is a pilot study limited by a small sample size and lack of control for additional comorbid factors, Shannon said. Further investigation is warranted.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in American men. Overall, one in six men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime.

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