Statin users have a 25% increased risk of developing Merkel cell carcinoma

This study was published in Cancer Epidemiology 2012 Jun 7

Study title and authors:

Increased incidence of Merkel cell carcinoma among younger statin users.

Sahi H, Koljonen V, Böhling T, Neuvonen PJ, Vainio H, Lamminpää A, Kyyrönen P, Pukkala E.

Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Pathology, Helsinki University and HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22683172

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer. It develops in Merkel cells which are in the top layer of the skin.

The aim of the study was to find out whether statin users have an increased incidence of Merkel cell carcinoma. The study included 454,935 men and women.

The study found:
(a) Statin users had a 25% increased risk of developing Merkel cell carcinoma compared to non-statin users.
(b) Statin users aged under 60 had a 216% increased risk of developing Merkel cell carcinoma compared to non-statin users.

The study reveals that statin use is linked to higher rates of Merkel cell carcinoma.

Useful reading:
How Statin Drugs Really Lower Cholesterol: And Kill You One Cell at a Time