Daijiworld Media Network – Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Nov 5: Beginning statin therapy within three years of a breast cancer diagnosis may significantly improve survival for patients with early-stage disease, according to new research published in JAMA Network Open.

The study, based on data from the Danish Breast Cancer Group’s clinical database, found that women who began taking cholesterol-lowering statins within 36 months of surgery had a lower risk of breast cancer–related death compared to those who did not use statins.

“These findings highlight the potential of statins as an adjunctive therapy in breast cancer treatment, offering a promising avenue for enhancing clinical outcomes,” the researchers wrote.

The study analyzed 66,952 women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer between 2000 and 2021. Of these, 4,851 women started statins within 36 months, while 62,101 did not. Results showed that the 10-year breast cancer mortality rate was 11.8% among women who used statins, compared to 13.5% among non-users — a hazard ratio of 0.90, indicating a 10% lower risk of death from breast cancer.

The all-cause mortality rate was also lower among statin users (23.3%) compared to non-users (24.5%). Notably, women who began statin therapy within 12 months of diagnosis showed even greater benefits, with a 28% lower risk of breast cancer mortality.

Researchers emphasized that while these findings are promising, a randomized clinical trial is necessary to confirm whether statins directly improve breast cancer survival outcomes.

“The observed benefit, though modest, is clinically meaningful,” the study concluded. “The ongoing MASTER trial will provide a conclusive answer as to whether statins can be beneficially added to adjuvant treatment regimens for breast cancer.”