Low levels of LDL cholesterol associated with an increased risk of cancer

This study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2012;59(13s1):E1622-E1622.

Study title and authors:
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN LOWER LEVELS OF LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL AND CANCER PREDATES THE DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER BY 18 YEARS                                                                                             

Paul Michael Lavigne; Haseeb Jafri; Richard Karas

This study can be accessed at: http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleid=1205620

This study investigated the association of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels with the incidence of cancer. The study included 201 cases of cancer and 402 matched controls. Their LDL cholesterol levels were measured at four time points throughout an average of 18.7 years prior to diagnosis of cancer.

 

The study found that LDL cholesterol levels were lower in cancer subjects than matched controls at each point of assessment throughout the 18.7 years prior to diagnosis.

Low cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer

This study was published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology 2013 Jan;17(1):4-9

 

Study title and authors:

Estimation of plasma lipids and its significance on histopathological grades in oral cancer: Prognostic significance an original research.

Sherubin EJ, Kannan KS, Kumar DN, Joseph I.

Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sree Mookambika Institute of Dental Sciences, Kulasekharam, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23798822

This study investigated the association between cholesterol levels and the risk of oral cancer. The cholesterol levels of 50 patients with oral cancer, aged between 20 and 60 years, were compared with normal cholesterol levels.

The study found:
(a) The cholesterol levels of patients with oral cancer were 16-45% lower than normal cholesterol levels.
(b) The low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of patients with oral cancer were 45% lower than normal LDL cholesterol levels.
(c) The cholesterol levels of patients with the most invasive form of oral cancer were 14% lower than patients with the mildest form of oral cancer.
(d) The low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of patients with the most invasive form of oral cancer were 17% lower than patients with the mildest form of oral cancer.

The results of the study reveal that low cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer.

Low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with an elevated risk of death from liver cancer

This study was published in the Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine 2013;229(3):203-11

 

Study title and authors:

Low Serum LDL Cholesterol Levels Are Associated with Elevated Mortality from Liver Cancer in Japan: the Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study.

Saito N, Sairenchi T, Irie F, Iso H, Iimura K, Watanabe H, Muto T, Ota H.

Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23445767

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and liver cancer death rates. The study included a total of 16,217 persons (5,551 men and 10,666 women), aged 40-79 years, who were followed for 15 years. The participants were divided into four categories of LDL cholesterol levels.
(i) Less than 80 mg/dL (2.06 mmol/L).
(ii) 80-99 mg/dL (2.06-2.56 mmol/L).
(iii) 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).
(iv) More than 120 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L).

The study found:
(a) Those with LDL cholesterol levels below 80 mg/dL (2.06 mmol/L) had a 333% increased risk of death from liver cancer compared to those with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).
(b) Those with LDL cholesterol levels of 80-99 mg/dL (2.06-2.56 mmol/L) had a 3% increased risk of death from liver cancer compared to those with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).
(c) Those with LDL cholesterol levels above 120 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L) had a 57% REDUCED risk of death from liver cancer compared to those with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).

The researchers conclude: "Low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with elevated risk of liver cancer mortality".

 

Review of: Low Cholesterol Leads To An Early Death

 

Links to other studies:

High cholesterol levels reduce the risk of stomach cancer

High cholesterol helps the elderly with high blood pressure to live a longer life

Analysis of 519,643 people reveals low cholesterol increases the risk of dying from pancreatic cancer by 27%