ANAHEIM, Ca. (May 20, 2007) -- Urologists and researchers have postulated in recent years that statin medications could have an impact on the growth and progression of prostate cancer. Cholesterol is a primary building block for testosterone, which has in turn been linked with prostate tumor growth (less testosterone results in slower-growing tumors). In recent years, research has indicated a possible link between dietary fat intake and prostate cancer. Research presented today at the 102nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association explores the effect statin medications (which work to reduce low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, levels) may have on prostate-specific antigen, the incidence of prostate cancer, and mortality due to prostate cancer. A special session for members of the media was held on May 20 at 11:00 a.m. and moderated by AUA spokesman Anthony Y. Smith, M.D. of the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.

EXPLORING CAUSES FOR DECLINING PROSTATE CANCER MORTALITY RATES IN THE UNITED STATES BETWEEN 1993 AND 2003 (Abstract 203)

Researchers from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, sought to compare declining prostate cancer mortality rates with the independent epidemiological variables including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, insurance coverage, obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol levels). Results of the study showed a direct correlation between prostate-cancer mortality rates with hyperlipidemia and PSA screening in white men, and health insurance coverage in black men. The link between high cholesterol and declining mortality was unexpected, and researchers attribute this relationship to the increased use of statin medications to treat high cholesterol.

This abstract will be presented during Podium Session 4 on May 20 starting at 8:00 a.m.

THE INFLUENCE OF STATIN MEDICATIONS ON PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN LEVELS IN HEALTHY MEN (Abstract 463)<
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Contact: Wendy Isett
wisett@auanet.org
410-689-3789
American Urological Association
20-May-2007