The role of statins in breast cancer survivors

Purpose: As breast cancer survival rates improve, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become a critical concern among survivors due to co-morbidities and the cardiotoxic effects of cancer treatments. The risk of developing CVD in this population may surpass the risk of cancer recurrence. This review aims to analyze existing research on the use of statins in breast cancer survivors, focusing on their potential role in mitigating cardiovascular risk and cancer recurrence.

Methods: The review begins by exploring the shared mechanisms underlying the development of both heart disease and breast cancer. It then examines the evidence for the role of statins in reducing cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) and breast cancer recurrence, highlighting findings from the literature on their anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects.

Results: The analysis reveals that statins may offer benefits beyond their traditional cardiovascular applications. Evidence suggests that statins could reduce the risk of CTRCD and potentially lower the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

Conclusions: Statins demonstrate promising potential in providing dual benefits for breast cancer survivors by mitigating CVD risk and possibly reducing the likelihood of cancer recurrence. However, additional studies are required to better understand the specific role of statins in breast cancer prevention and survivorship care.