Plasma cholesterol and cancer morbidity and mortality in an adult community.

The relationship between plasma cholesterol and seven-year cancer morbidity and mortality was assessed in 4035 residents of Rancho Bernardo , CA, aged 40-89 years. Cancer was the underlying cause of death for 139 persons and occurred in an additional 168 individuals after the 1972-74 cholesterol measurement. The age-adjusted cancer mortality rate per years of experience showed a slightly U-shaped relationship with cholesterol levels in men. For women, little association was seen between cancer mortality and cholesterol levels. Age-adjusted cancer morbidity rates per years of experience, indicated no association for men or women. Mean cholesterol levels did not differ significantly by cancer site. In addition, analysis of cholesterol levels by length of time between cholesterol measurement and cancer occurrence showed no significant trends, suggesting the progression of subclinical cancer did not result in lower cholesterol levels. In summary, in this population no significant association of cholesterol and cancer was seen in men or women.