A statin is included in the mooted "polypill", which (I think) was designed only with heart disease and strokes in mind. If it also has a substantial protective effect on very common prostate problems, it would be a very attractive bonus.Statins are currently used to lower cholesterol and help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
However, there is growing evidence that the drugs also prevent cancer cells from dividing, and may even cause some cancer cells to die.
Worldwide, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death.
The US Mayo Clinic followed 2,447 men aged 40 to 79 for nearly two decades.
They found men who took statins were three times less likely to develop prostate cancer than men who did not take the drugs.
They also found statin users were 57% less likely to develop an enlarge prostate.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Unexpected
BBC NEWS | Health | Statins link to healthy prostate
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There seems to be a missed story here about the polypill. I have seen an acknowledgement that the original idea was from a BMJ article some years ago. What has not been noted to my knowledge was that the article was almost certainly a joke intended to show that meta-analysis could be used to prove anything, even something as outlandish as a polypill. The Christmas edition of the BMJ in which it appeared is full of joke articles, usually silly subjects tackled in a serious way. They followed up with the polymeal -a recipe contaest to contain all the food known to be good for you in one go.
That is not to say it might not turn out to be a good idea.
Actually, I have a vague recollection of the not-so-serious nature of the original suggestion too, now that you mention it. But it has received a lot of publicity again lately, and the BBC article indicates it is being trialled. Was it a joke that someone thought was a good idea in reality? Or was it the one serious suggestion in their otherwise light-hearted Christmas issue? Odd.
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