High cholesterol ‘may be associated with breast cancer risk’

A new study conducted in the UK has revealed a possible link between high blood cholesterol and an elevated risk of breast cancer – the nation's most prevalent cancer type.

Researchers carried out a retrospective analysis of more than one million patients across the UK between 2000 and 2013, including 664,159 women. Of these, 22,938 had hyperlipidaemia and 9,312 had breast cancer.

Some 530 women with high cholesterol developed breast cancer, with statistical analysis showing that hyperlipidaemia increased the risk of breast cancer by a factor of 1.64. The team is now looking to ascertain whether lowering cholesterol with statins can reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Since it was noted that statins are cheap, relatively safe and widely available, it is hoped that a clinical trial could be conducted in ten to 15 years to test their effects on the incidence of breast cancer.

Lead author Dr Rahul Potluri said: "If such a trial is successful, statins may have a role in the prevention of breast cancer especially in high risk groups, such as women with high cholesterol."

About 48,000 women get breast cancer in Britain each year, with individuals over the age of 50 most likely to be affected.