Declining serum cholesterol levels prior to diagnosis of colon cancer

Article Abstract:

Studies which have investigated the relationship between serum (blood) cholesterol and the incidence of colon cancer have yielded conflicting results. Some have indicated that there is a negative correlation, while others have found positive correlations between serum cholesterol levels and the development of colon cancer. In an effort to resolve this, a 10-year case-control study was undertaken that was based on outpatient medical examinations. The cases that were reviewed involved patients who underwent regular examinations with an emphasis on early detection of cancer by general screening methods; serum cholesterol was also monitored. Over the period studied, 69 patients developed colon cancer. A control patient group was matched to these 69 cases by sex and age. The patients who developed colon cancer had significantly lower levels of serum cholesterol at time of diagnosis than the control group. A gradual decrease in cholesterol over the 10-year period preceding colon cancer diagnosis was also observed in the cancer patients. When the matched pairs of cancer patients and control subjects were examined, in 42 percent of the pairs the cancer patient had a lower serum cholesterol level than the control patient at 10 years before cancer diagnosis. At diagnosis, 77 percent of the cancer patients had lower serum cholesterol levels than their matched controls. Serum cholesterol in the cancer patients declined over the 10-year period by about 13 percent, which contrasted with an average increase of 2 percent over the same period for patients who did not develop colon cancer. No significant differences were observed by sex; each group was composed of 32 men and 37 women. It was concluded that a long-term and gradual reduction of serum cholesterol is associated with the development of colon cancer, rather than being a result of the cancer. The decline in blood cholesterol that occurred during the 10 years before colon cancer diagnosis was the opposite of the tendency for cholesterol to increase in the general population with aging. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Colorectal cancer

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Does lowering cholesterol cause cancer?

Article Abstract:

Cholesterol reducing drugs and diets have not been proven to increase the risk of cancer and should not be limited to use on people at immediate risk of death from coronary heart disease (CHD). Widespread use of cholesterol reducing therapy may not be cost effective, but is unlikely to cause cancer. In a 1995 study, researchers reviewed various studies and the "Physicians Desk Reference" and found that anti-cholesterol drugs cause cancer in rodents at doses similar to those used in people. However, these animal doses were actually much higher than those used in humans. While the time of exposure to the drugs were similar in both species, the relative amount of drug the digestive tract was exposed to was much higher for rodents. Such gastrointestinal exposure may be crucial to the development of cancer. The researchers also argue for long-term trials to establish drug safety, but such trials with 20-year follow up are not worth waiting for. People with high cholesterol levels should still receive treatment to prevent CHD.

Health aspects, Low-cholesterol diet, Low cholesterol diet

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Impact of HIV infection and HAART on serum lipids in men

Article Abstract:

HIV infection causes blood levels of cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol to decrease, according to a study of 50 HIV-infected men. When the men began taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), blood levels of cholesterol and LDL cholesterol increased. This increase could be considered a return to baseline levels before the men became infected with HIV.

HIV infection, HIV infections, Highly active antiretroviral therapy

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