Cholesterol and breast cancer Th e Journal of Womens

Chapter 9, Problem 9.53

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Cholesterol and breast cancer Th e Journal of Womens Health reported on a study of 7528 women aged 65 and older. Th e women were all participants in a study of fractures due to osteoporosis, a disease that weakens the bones. At one clinic visit during the study, researchers asked the women whether they took any cholesterol-lowering drugs (such as the popular statins). None of the women had breast cancer at the time the researchers collected information about their use of cholesterol-lowering medication. Th e scientists then followed the women, for nearly seven years on average, to see who developed breast cancer. Aft er accounting for age and weight (two factors related to breast cancer risk), the researchers found that statin users were about 75% less likely to develop breast cancer than women who werent taking any cholesterol-lowering medication.15 A news report said the study suggested that cholesterol-lowering medications might reduce womens risk of breast cancer. Can we be confi dent in this conclusion? Explain.