This article presented the findings from two studies indicating that statin medications used to manage cholesterol levels did not prevent development of breast, prostate, lung or colorectal cancer or death from these cancers. Overall, a balanced story.
Did not mention cost of treatment
Mentioned lack of
benefit from statins for this purpose; also provided some details of side effects of statins
Provided a walk through the various types of clinical evidence.
In addition to
quoting study authors, a quote from an editorial in the journal in which one of the articles was published was provided.
Did not mention other options for
reducing cancer risks.
Mentioned that statins are widely used and considered safe. Mentioned that use as cancer
preventative would be an off-label use (i.e. drugs not approved for this purpose)
Examined a new use for a
class of medications (statins).
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
Come on, NY Times; you must do better than this. Important research doesn’t need hype and the “breaking news” BS doesn’t help readers or patients. https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2022/03/nyt-proclaims-breaking-news/
Our editorial team was blessed to have Sharon as a contributor during our best years. As this obit states, she was “kind, patient, wise, thoughtful and generous.” Thank you, Sharon; now rest in peace. https://journalism.wisc.edu/news/in-memoriam-sharon-dunwoody-1947-2022/
We’ve written about the hype of liquid biopsies for years (see link in comment below). And now this…. https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/12/medicare-shouldnt-cover-liquid-biopsies-early-cancer-detection/
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