A recently conducted research suggested that the use of statins can improve lung cancer outcomes.

The study found that patients with lung cancer who incorporate a statin regimen within the first year of diagnosis have a reduced risk for death, according to data from the American Association for Cancer Research.

The research team examined data from approximately 14,000 women who had been diagnosed with lung cancer between 1998 and 2009 and were also part of the English (UK) cancer registry.

The study found that among the patients who survived for at least six months after their initial diagnosis and those who had used statins also had slightly better survival rates.

On the other hand patients who had used at least 12 prescriptions of statins had a significantly higher survival rate.

The study authors said, "Statins have been researched for years and it's quite clear that they have all kinds of properties in addition to lowering cholesterol and bad lipids [blood fats]".

In addition, Dr. Norman Edelman stated he didn't believe that anybody has identified this specific relationship to lung cancer deaths ever before.

Therefore, it is quite exciting because if it turns out to be true, we can start doing studies to see if strains can actually prevent lung cancer altogether.

The American Lung Association senior medical advisor also noted that the study authors highlighted that there may be co-variables in such cases. For example, people who take statins perhaps smoke differently than those who don't.

Chris Cardwell, a senior lecturer with the Centre for Public Health at Queen's University, in Belfast affirmed that findings of the study are very important for further investigations in observational studies.