A new study from Denmark suggests that taking statins—drugs commonly used to lower cholesterol—after a breast cancer diagnosis may modestly improve survival.
Researchers found that women with early-stage breast cancer who started statins within three years of diagnosis had a 10 percent lower risk of dying from breast cancer and an 8 percent lower risk of dying from any cause, compared with women who did not take statins. The study followed more than 66,000 women for up to 10 years.
These findings, published in JAMA Network Open, suggest that for patients who need statins for heart health, continuing them after a breast cancer diagnosis may also have added benefits.
Statins have long been known for their heart-protective effects, but researchers are learning they may also influence cancer growth and spread. Laboratory studies show statins can slow cell growth, reduce inflammation, and block certain processes cancer cells use to multiply. High cholesterol itself has also been linked to poorer breast cancer outcomes, making this connection biologically plausible.
In the Danish registry study, women who started statins soon after diagnosis appeared to benefit the most.
- Those who began within 12 months had a 28 percent lower risk of dying from breast cancer.
- Those who began within two years had a smaller but still meaningful benefit.
The benefit was seen across most groups, including those who had hormone-positive and hormone-negative disease and those treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.
Experts caution that the study does not prove statins directly prevent breast cancer deaths, since patients who took statins tended to have lower-risk tumors. More research, including ongoing clinical trials like the MASTER study, is needed to confirm whether statins should become part of standard cancer care.
For now, doctors emphasize that patients who take statins for cholesterol or heart health should continue doing so after a breast cancer diagnosis. In fact, some breast cancer medications—such as aromatase inhibitors—can raise cholesterol levels, making statin therapy even more important for overall health.
Future studies will determine whether statins can play a direct role in cancer treatment, but for now, maintaining good overall health—through heart care, exercise, and nutrition—remains an essential part of every patient’s recovery plan.
Reference
Harborg S, Pedersen L, Sørensen HT, Ahern TP, Cronin-Fenton D, Borgquist S. Postdiagnosis Statin Use and Breast Cancer Mortality. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Oct 1;8(10):e2538737.
