27 March 2025

Statins May Reduce Liver Cancer Risk and Improve Liver Health

Liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Researchers have been exploring ways to help individuals at high risk, and a recent study examined the potential benefits of statins—medications commonly used to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Findings from the study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, indicate that statin use is associated with a lower risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatic decompensation, an advanced stage of liver disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, liver cancer ranks sixth in cancer-related mortality in the U.S.

The study revealed that participants with chronic liver disease who took statins had a reduced 10-year cumulative incidence of liver cancer and hepatic decompensation. This condition, which signifies end-stage liver failure, can lead to severe complications such as jaundice and ascites.

Additionally, those who used lipophilic statins like atorvastatin and simvastatin experienced the most significant benefits. Longer statin use was linked to better outcomes in liver cancer prevention, hepatic decompensation, and liver fibrosis—a condition where excessive scar tissue impairs liver function.