Extensive research carried out by two studies has confirmed that low level of cholesterol not only reduces the risk of cardiac diseases but also of cancer. This is contrary to a belief held by many for a very long time which said that low cholesterol puts an individual more at risk of contracting cancer.

The data studied for the sake of the research was combined from two different sources - a study carried out in Finland of more than 29,000 local mean for a 18 years and figures collected on over 5,500 men who had enrolled themselves in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. While the former helped dispel the myth that low cholesterol increases risk of cancer, with appropriate and substantial evidence, the latter showed that men with cholesterol levels of less than 200 were at a 59% less risk of contracting Prostate cancer, which is currently the most dangerous form of cancer.

"These results should help dispel any lingering thoughts that low cholesterol may help cause cancer", said Eric Jacobs, strategic director of pharmacoepidemiology at the American Cancer Society. He has also written an editorial accompanying the published study.

One of the two reports has been published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, November issue. It has been authored by Dr. Demetrius Albanes, a senior investigator at the U. S. National Cancer Institute. While further research is needed to confirm these findings, they are being considered much valuable.