Statins, or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, include simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, and rosuvastatin. These particular drugs lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting an enzyme that helps to make cholesterol in the liver. They are often used by people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and who also have high cholesterol levels. The main reason is to prevent a heart attack.
Diabetics are at risk for developing cancer of the pancreas, which has a poor prognosis. Researchers at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in the United Kingdom, conducted a study to discover whether the use of statins could lower the risk of the disease.
The study, published in the journal Digestive Diseases and Science in July 2013, included:
- 252 patients with pancreatic cancer, and
- 504 individuals without cancer.
Twenty-three percent of the cancer patients were statin users... versus 21 percent of the non-cancer participants. However, male smokers who used statins regularly had an 89 percent reduced risk of cancer of the pancreas.
From this information it was concluded statin use should be further investigated for pancreatic cancer prevention in male smokers.
From this information it was concluded statin use should be further investigated for pancreatic cancer prevention in male smokers.
On the other hand, investigators at the University of Tokyo in Japan found that patients being treated for pancreatic cancer had an improved prognosis if they were also being treated with statins. Their study was reported on in March 2013 in the journal Pancreas.
Two hundred and fifty patients being treated with chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer were included in the study.
- 124 of these patients had diabetes
Patients being treated with statins survived 3.3 months longer than those not using statins. It was therefore concluded statin use was associated with significantly improved survival.
More research will yield further answers as to how statins or other drugs could be useful in preventing or treating pancreatic cancer. In the mean time, the National Institutes of Health in the United States has issued a statement on preventing cancer in Type 2 diabetes. According to the NIH the mortality rate from pancreatic and other types of cancer can be lowered:
- with treatment for obesity and high insulin levels,
- achievement of good blood sugar control, and the
- diagnosis of pancreatic cancer early in its course.
Pancreatic cancer is typically diagnosed after cure becomes impossible because of spread to other parts of the body. When it is suspected it can be found with imaging tests, certain blood tests, and biopsy. Diabetic patients suffering from low appetite, weight loss, low-grade fever, and sometimes yellowed eyes and skin, should be suspicious of pancreatic cancer.
Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making easy changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate some of the complications you may already experience.
For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.
The answer isn't in the endless volumes of available information but in yourself.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7887068
No comments:
Post a Comment