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statins and PCa

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Posted 2/9/2013 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
i keep finding more articles on this relationship,
next week i'm going to ask my primary if i can get on one, despite a low cholesterol.


www.bing.com/search?q=prostate+lovastatin&pc=Z192&form=ZGAFDF&install_date=20110813
www.bioportfolio.com/resources/pmarticle/52432/Effects-Of-Clinically-Effective-Dose-Of-Lovastatin-On-Prostate-Cancer-Pc3-Cells.html

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2/2010 PSA 2.75 55 years old
4/2011 PSA 3.73
5/2012 PSA 5.31

11/2012 biopsy Gleason 3+4. 56 years old (r base only) , 40% one specimen
12/2012 LARP 48 gm, cancer both lobes, pT3a extraprostatic extension R base, margins negative
gleason 4+3. lymph nodes negative (2)
Cath out 7 days post-op, +incontinent (improving), + ED
Posted 2/9/2013 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
I was taking Red Yeast Rice, which is a statin, but herbal.
The statins are also anti-inflammatory, which might be the reason they help.
Posted 2/9/2013 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
 Very interesting as I have just been placed on satins CRESTOR  for high cholesterol 6.9

Very surprised at that reading as I have been watching my diet.Any way good to hear

it may help with PC.Thank for the post.

Rodger.

Posted 2/9/2013 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
<Men who take even small amounts of common cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Lovastatin and Simvastatin have a significantly reduced risk of prostate cancer, according to a new study by Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute researchers.>

Didn't help me. Course, could have kept me at a G8 rather than a G10.
Posted 2/10/2013 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Gasman, you may want to rethink going on a statin drug if your cholesterol is normal. These are serious drugs with potentially serious side effects, and you need to have blood work done every 3 months to check not only your lipids but also your liver function and muscle enzymes as statin drugs can cause muscle pain and weakness. One of the warnings is to call your doctor right away if you experience unexplained muscle weakness or pain. Also, while on statin drugs, it is important to stay away from grapefruit (the fruit and the juice) as they interact with the statin drugs, and can cause severe reaction. This is not a drug to take if you don't need it.
Posted 2/10/2013 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Wow nobody told me about 3 mos blood work and I have had prescriptions from many doctors in different parts of the country over the years while on statins. Ill mention that to GP next time I see him. Grapefrit mix is a no no tho. but do agree, if you don't need them, the reason you don't need them is probably giving you the same protection, re. PCA
Posted 2/10/2013 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Sephie,

What you say concerning statins is true to an extent.  The risk of serious side effects is low.  Myopathies occur but usually can be treated with dose adjustments or adding Coenzyme Q-10. Liver complications are extremely rare.   All drugs have risk vs. benefits.  Statin use in cardiovascular diseases have proven efficacy that hugely outweigh the concerns you pose.  These drugs literally add years of life to patients at risk of myocardial infarction or stroke.

In regard to prostate cancer and statins, the jury is out.  In my opinion, I would consider a statin in an attempt to keep the PSA down after primary treatment failure.

Paul

Posted 2/10/2013 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Logo, both my and my husband's doctors insist on blood tests every 3 to 4 months. In fact, our prescriptions are for 6 months, which means we must go back to the doctor twice a year at a minimum to get a new script. Definitely speak with your doctor about this as my understanding is the blood test is SOP with any statin drug.
Posted 2/10/2013 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
I wanted to use statins for the same purpose, to limit cholesterol since cholesterol (C) is atomically nearly identical to testosterone (T). It is strongly theorized that the cancer cells produce T from C when T is insufficient to maintain tumor cell growth. My doctor said that my C was in normal range but not "ideal" thus he gave me the script. I test annually and have changed statin and dosage to reach the desired level. Cheap, panless, without SE's (for me) and easy. My heart and bloodd vessels love it, too.
Posted 2/10/2013 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Sephie, last year the FDA changed its recommendations for liver function tests for patients taking statins. The product label insert reflects these new recommentadions. The link for this info: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm293330.htm

I have been on statins for about 15 years, and have only had to have LFT's done every 6 months. From reading the FDA bulletin, it looks like I probably don't need to have these tests done so frequently, if at all since I've never had an abnormal test result or any symptoms whatsoever!

My husband's cholesterol levels have always been fine, but have started creeping up recently. Our doctor told him that he may put him on statins in the future if the trend continues. That may be a good thing for both his cholesterol and his PC........
Posted 2/10/2013 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
FL, thanks so much for this information...I had not heard about this. My husband has a blood test coming up later this month and I've asked him to find out exactly what is being tested and told him about the FDA's revised guidelines for statin drugs. The stuff you learn here...thanks again!
Posted 2/10/2013 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone know of studies evaluating whether statins reduce the incidence or severity of prostate cancer among those who already have low or normal total cholesterol levels? In other words, is it the statin that helps, or it is having low/ normal cholesterol that appears to be protective?
Posted 2/10/2013 7:28 PM (GMT 0)

Medved,  Dr. Mark Moyad in his book, "Promoting Wellness for Prostate Cancer Patients" had this to say: "Statins should be a consideration for anyone with prostate cancer who is not able to lower cholesterol and hs-CRP blood test enough using diet and exercise alone".  Unfortunately he did not provide any references.

I searched pubmed and found 225 studies related to Statins and Prostate Cancer.  This is the link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=statins+and+prostate+cancer.  The answer to you question may be in here somewhere.

Posted 2/10/2013 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
In addition to the cholesterol aspect, a theory is that inflammation makes cancer more aggressive. Statins are anti-inflammatory and lower C-reactive markers in the body.
Posted 2/11/2013 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
I guess that I should be thankful that my pcp in 2003 prescribed 40mg simvastatin and 1700mg metformin daily-for my diabetes/etc. When I was diagnosed by symptoms my gleason scores could have been higher than 8.--lol. My psa was 4.89 for 11/2 years prior to diagnosis but my new pcp believed in the "conservative approach"..Oh well, I would hate for this to happen to a young man in his 40's or 50's...
Bill
Posted 2/12/2013 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Bill-is that 11.5 years?
Posted 2/12/2013 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
Jerry,
Appreciate your humor since I was feeling kind of "down" tonight--thanks! Must be the d--- lupron..Anyway, it was one and a half years..The Dr left the states so I was unable to discuss the matter with him thankfully!!
Thanks for responding!!
Bill
Posted 2/12/2013 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Statins didn't do me any good when it came to Pca. I had been on 80mg of atorvastatin (lipitor) + zetia for 9 years before my diagnosis. At least a generic for lipitor is now available. Just waiting for 2014 when I can get the zetia via generic. I now combine my psa and lipid/metabolic panel tests into one visit to the lab. I've been on the statins so long that my doc only does the tests every 6 months.
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