Abstract
Background: Limited data exist about the association between statin use and skin cancer risk. We examined the independent relation between statin use and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) risk.
Methods: We identified all members of a large integrated healthcare delivery system diagnosed with a histologically proven BCC in 1997. Subsequent BCCs were identified through 2006 from health plan electronic pathology records. Longitudinal exposure to statins and other lipid lowering agents was determined from automated pharmacy records. We used extended Cox regression to examine the independent association between receipt of statin therapy (ever vs. never, cumulative duration) and risk of subsequent BCC. To minimize confounding by indication, we conducted sensitivity analyses in the subset of individuals considered eligible for lipid lowering therapy based on national guidelines.
Results: Among 12,123 members diagnosed with BCC who had no prior statin exposure, 6,381 developed a subsequent BCC during follow-up. Neither ever use of statins (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.02, 95% CI: 0.92–1.12) or cumulative duration of statin (aHR 1.02 per year, 95% CI: 0.99–1.11) was associated with subsequent BCC after adjustment for age, sex, and healthcare utilization. Risk estimates did not change appreciably when the analysis was limited to the subset of individuals who met eligibility criteria for initiating statin therapy. There was also no significant association between use of non-statin anti-lipemics and subsequent BCC (aHR 1.10, 95% CI: 0.76–1.58).
Conclusions: Among a large cohort of individuals with BCC, statin therapy was not significantly associated with risk of subsequent BCC.
