Higher HDL-Cholesterol (‘Good’ Cholesterol) Linked to Less Cancer

It’s been known that lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, the ‘bad’ cholesterol) are associated with a significantly higher risk of developing cancer – this is based on a meta-analysis of large clinical studies.  But little is known about a relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, the ‘good’ cholesterol) and cancer risk.  This has led to another analysis by the same team that is now published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.   

The study was a meta-analysis of all lipid-treatment randomized, controlled trials with over 1,000 person-years of follow-up, baseline HDL-C levels, and cancer rates.  There were 24 such trials, with more than 625,000 person-years’ follow-up, and 8,185 cases of newly-occurred cancer.

After adjusting for baseline LDL-C levels, age, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, gender, and smoking, there was a significant inverse link between baseline HDL-C levels and the occurrence  of cancer – the higher the HDL-C, the less the likelihood of cancer.  For every 10 mg/dL increase in HDL-C level, there was a 36% reduction in the risk of cancer.   

Dr Richard Karas, the principal investigator for these studies, emphasizes that the findings merely show associations, not ‘cause-and-effect’ relationships.  He postulates that HDL-C’s antioxidant properties might, like those of antioxidant dietary components, exert an anti-cancer effect.  Alternatively, HDL-C has positive effects on the immune system, and higher levels might be linked to improved immune surveillance, which also could lower the cancer risk.  Either way it’s worth trying to raise your HDL-C level into the healthy range (over 60 mg/dL) while you try to keep your LDL-C below 100 mg/dL.  See your doctor!

Comments

[Susie]

I wanted to be sure this article was correct before I gave it to our Senior Clients. It says" lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, the ‘bad’ cholesterol) are associated with a significantly higher risk of developing cancer ". In other words, lower cholesterol (bad) means a higher risk of cancer? Are you sure this isn't backwards. One would assume if you lower your bad cholesterol that your cancer risk would go down, not up.

[Robert Griffith]

Susie:
No mistake! This statement was based on a 2007 analysis by Tufts University researchers. However, the result is surprising. Several 'explanations' have been offered. One is that treatment producing lower LDL-C levels leads to a decrease in mortality, and therefore people who would otherwise have died are 'available' to develop cancer. Another possibility is that lowering total and LDL-C by various means may, indeed, lower HDL-C, thus removing the protection offered by high HDL-C in the present report. And there may be other explanations for this phenomen that don't include a direct 'protective' anti-cancer effect of LDL-C.
Either way, the importance of lowering LDL-C is greater than running the very slight increase in cancer risk reported. Just make sure the HDL-C doesn't come down, too!.
This may be too complicated for your clients, so you may not want to use the post - it would only confuse them.
Yours, Bob G.