LONDON — Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may protect men against prostate cancer and other urological complaints, as well as reducing the risk of heart attacks, U.S. researchers said on Sunday. A large clinical study following 2,447 men aged between 40 an 79 year for over 15 years found those taking statins were less likely to develop prostate cancer, compared to men who did not take the medicines. Just 6 percent of men on statins were diagnosed with prostate cancer, with non-statin users three times more likely to develop the disease, Mayo Clinic researchers reported at the American Urological Association meeting in Chicago. Their long-term analysis also found men on statins were less likely to suffer benign prostate enlargement or erectile dysfunction. ‘In recent years, it has been suggested that statin medications may prevent development of cancer. However, until now, there has been limited evidence to support this theory,’ said Rodney Breau of the Mayo Clinic. ‘Our research provides evidence that statin use is associated with a threefold reduced risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer.’ But the scientists said their findings were still preliminary and further randomised clinical studies would be needed to prove that statins […]