EFN

New group of studies are giving hope to people at risk of prostate cancer. U.S. researchers recently announced that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs could offer protection to men against prostate cancer and other urological troubles, as well as reducing their chance of heart attacks and heart problems.

Currently, statins are given to lower cholesterol levels and prevent incidences of strokes and heart attacks. These cholesterol drugs, according to the research results, can greatly help in controlling inflammation in prostate tumors and reduce development of prostate cancerdefinedefine.

The urology group’s new advice reports men should be given a baseline PSA test at age 40, and follow-ups at intervals based on each man’s situation. Doctors say a high PSA at age 40 greatly predicts a risk of prostate cancer.

However others disagreed.

“There is no proof that a baseline test will save lives”, said Dr. Barnett Kramer, a National Institutes of Health scientist.

“The same issue of harm comes up – overdiagnosis. A baseline PSA, just like regular PSA screening, can lead to the diagnosis of cancers that would not have harmed a man had they not been detected,” Kramer said.