Statins and Cancer-Related Mortality — Let's Work Together

In this issue of the Journal, Nielsen et al.1 provide data suggesting that statin use in Denmark has caused a substantial decline in all-cause and cancer-related mortality. Collectively, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins, are the most commonly prescribed class of drugs worldwide, and after two and a half decades of use, this therapy has been credited with declines in cardiovascular events2 at the cost of some common side effects (myalgia and diabetes) and some that are rare (elevated liver enzyme levels and rhabdomyolysis).3 Previous studies focusing on statins and the incidence of cancer have provided only weak . . .