EAR, NOSE & THROAT UPDATE

LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL AND MAYBE BEAT CANCER AT THE SAME TIME
By Jeffrey Raval, MD

Who would have thought that if you were fighting high cholesterol that you might be beating cancer as well? That’s the profound thing about medicine today. With all the ongoing research of new drugs as well as commonly prescribed medications, there’s always the likelihood that new findings will deliver cures, if not direction for further research into hopeful medical advancements.

A preliminary study by the Veteran’s Administration has shown that the medicines prescribed to lower cholesterol levels may help lower certain cancer risks. The data-based research compared patients with similar risk factors. One group was taking prescribed statins for their high cholesterol; the other group was not. The group taking statins—Zocor® or Pravachol® for example—was less likely to develop cancer compared to the group not taking the cholesterol-lowering meds.

The drugs of choice to treat elevated cholesterol, statins, include atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin. Statin drugs have few immediate short-term side effects.

While taking medication to reduce your cholesterol levels is a step in the right direction, there is no substitute for living a healthy lifestyle. Good eating habits and a healthy living practices can go a long way to prevent the occurrence of high cholesterol which is not only hereditary but can develop through bad health habits. Sadly, the incidence of high cholesterol in children is on the rise. Consumption of high fat foods, obesity, and even ethnic factors increase your chances of having high cholesterol levels.

You can reduce your cholesterol by eliminating fatty fast foods and deep-fried foods from your diet. The effect of these fatty foods is best described by the free radical theory. Fatty foods can lead to the development of free radicals in the body. Consuming them is a risk you don’t have to take. Avoid French fries and ice cream. Consume more fresh fruits and vegetables and less red meat. Read the labels on the prepared foods you buy in the grocery store just as you would for calories and carbs.

A simple blood test at your physician’s office can assess your cholesterol level. This test should be part of your general physical exam. Your physician should bring a high cholesterol level to your attention and discuss with you whether you’re a candidate for prescription medication or if you can beat your high cholesterol with better attention to your diet and lifestyle.

Jeffrey Raval, MD is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School and did his residency and internship at the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University Barnes Jewish Hospital. He completed his fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology, is triple board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. He is Section Head of Otolaryngology at Swedish Hospital in Englewood and is the Medical Director of Matrix Spa in Denver. His is a practicing partner at Associates of Otolaryngology with offices at Harvard Park Medical Center and in Lone Tree and volunteers at Denver Inner City Health. He can be reached at 303.744.1961.