Heart disease may increase prostate cancer risk

A prescription to buy Lipitor can lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health, but men who suffer from cardiovascular disease may still want to talk with their doctor about their prostate cancer risk, as a new study has shown a connection between the two conditions.

Researchers from the Duke Cancer Institute were in the process of conducting a clinical trial of a medication that may fight prostate cancer. However, during the course of the investigation, they began noticing that many individuals who developed prostate cancer had preexisting heart disease.

After examining the records of participants in greater detail, the researchers found that a history of coronary artery disease increased a man's risk of developing prostate cancer by 34 percent. The chances of being diagnosed with prostate cancer increased with the amount of time individuals suffered from cardiovascular disease.

The team said the findings suggest that prostate cancer and heart disease may share risk factors, and taking steps to improve heart health may also reduce the chances of developing prostate cancer. This may include eating a healthier diet and getting more exercise.

For men who find it difficult to improve their cardiovascular health, a prescription to buy Lipitor may be necessary.