Ace Inhibitors Reduce Cancer Risk - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

Drugs taken to lower blood pressure may also lower the risk for certain cancers.

Ace inhibitors are drugs that are commonly used to treat high blood pressure. In a new study researchers looked at the medical records of over 500,000 patients that were part of a V.A. database. They found those who were taking ace inhibitors had a significantly lower chance of developing colon, pancreatic and esophageal cancers.

Researchers say the drugs may prevent cancer because they block a protein that stimulates tumor growth. Patients taking ace inhibitors had a 55% reduced risk for esophageal cancer, a 48% reduced risk for pancreatic cancer and a 47% reduced risk for colon cancer.