Prostate cancer cholesterol link

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Scientists have produced evidence linking high cholesterol levels to a raised risk of prostate cancer.

The researchers examined data on 1,294 men with prostate cancer, and 1,451 men admitted to hospital with non-cancerous conditions. They found men with prostate cancer were around 50% more likely to have had high cholesterol levels.

Professor Nick James, a cancer specialist at the University of Birmingham, said it was "entirely plausible" that cholesterol was linked to prostate cancer. He said: "There is a lot of circumstantial evidence suggesting that diet is a factor in developing prostate cancer. For instance, the disease is more common in northern European countries, where consumption of animals fats is relatively high.

Chris Hiley, of the Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "Further research is needed to confirm this but in the meantime the health benefits of a varied diet are indisputable. "We encourage men to cut down their intake of fatty foods and red and processed meat, but continue to eat oily fish and a high fibre diet with porridge oats, as well as plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables daily."