High Cholesterol Linked to Prostate Cancer Recurrence

Although we think about cholesterol as only affecting heart disease risk, it turns out high cholesterol can also be a risk for cancer recurrence.

A new study from Duke University evaluating more than 800 men who had had their prostate gland removed, revealed that those with higher cholesterol levels were more likely to have their cancer come back.

Specifically, the researchers found that men who had triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or higher had a 35 percent increased risk of their cancer coming back, compared with men with normal triglyceride levels. And every 10 mg/dL increase in total cholesterol above 200 mg/dL was linked with a 9 percent increase in risk for the return of prostate cancer.

Cholesterol levels can be markedly improved with dietary change. So eating right for your heart goes way beyond the heart itself. It also means you are eating in a way that may prevent a whole host of other devastating illnesses.

Food matters.

Reference: EH Allott et al; Serum Lipid Profile and Risk of Prostate Cancer Recurrence: Results from the SEARCH Database. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Oct. 10, 2014.