Statins and Metformin for Ovarian cancer

[Stuee01]

Hello,

This forum has been such a huge support for me while I go through this journey with my partner. Lately I have read some studies regarding the efficacy or metformin and statins for ovarian cancer. Seems there maybe some benefits from these drugs. Since my partner does not have high cholesterol I doubt our oncologist would approve its prescription for us.

i wanted to understand whether anyone here has been prescribed a statin or metformin to control or prevent recurrence of their ovarian cancer by their oncologist even though you did not have high cholesterol? I am just curious if oncologists are open minded to this now. I am scared to ask…but also think ‘what is the harm?’ Nothing is more toxic than chemo and my partner is already going through a first recurrence.

Keen to hear your thought! Thanks in advance!

Steph

[Lovedogs41]

HiI take both Metformin and a statin as part of my alternative protocol.Not sure where you are,but if you’re in the UK oncologists aren’t allowed to recommend or prescribe these meds as they are being used off licence and they are only allowed to offer standard of care treatment under the very outdated 1939 cancer act.I found a GP to prescribe it for me,maybe you could try your GP surgery.I find it helps if you go armed with the research you have found to show them,so you can put your argument forward effectively.

[Stuee01 in reply to Lovedogs41]

Thank you for the feedback! I am not in the UK, but in Hong Kong. I think that they will likely have the same response. I will try to find a GP here to prescribe. Did you let your oncologist know that you were taking metformin and statin?

[Lovedogs41 in reply to Stuee01]

When I finished frontline I did ask him what he thought about the care oncology clinic and he said there would be too many side effects! (and chemo doesn’t?!) so I told him I would have a think about it.I decided to start them and had very few side effects,I had some achiness for about a week from the statin but nothing now.I’ve continued to take them and I have monthly blood tests so can monitor for any changes.

[Stuee01 in reply to Lovedogs41]

ahh, ok, so I guess you didn't need to tell your oncologist. I am a little worried I guess if a GP does prescribe it for my partner and I don't tell my oncologist especially if she does not approve of it. It's such a difficult path to navigate. :/ Not sure if I can just ignore my oncologist and go off on our own to take it even if she is against it.

[Lovedogs41 in reply to Stuee01]

I personally would not worry about your oncologist,it’s your partner’s life at the end of the day.

[organicinna in reply to Stuee01]

If you not diabetic GP probably wont prescribed this to you.....We need to investigate )))

[SarahBa in reply to Lovedogs41]

Hi Lovedogs41, what level is your blood glucose at now that you are on Metformin if you don't mind me asking please? I try to keep my blood glucose level low/normal naturally but just wondering what your level is at?

Thank you

[organicinna]

They wont give it to us.....They got teir narrow protocol to follow.......A was reading about this statins and Metformin and wandering as well . I might ask next face to face app, but am pretty sure they say NOOOOp " they is not enough research and evidence " )))) xx

[Stuee01 in reply to organicinna]

Thanks for your feedback! Yah I am not sure it will be easy to get a GP to prescribe. Have to see how hard I want to push this...

[Lovedogs41 in reply to Stuee01]

You can go through the care oncology clinic in Harley street they will do a zoom consultation and then can prescribe the meds for you.Obviously just more expensive this way.

[CST1967]

Thank you for this - do you have to take both statins and metformin together - or can you be prescribed metformin on its own? I would like to ask about this too. X

[Lovedogs41 in reply to CST1967]

No you don’t have to take both,but it is best to.I started one at a time so I could tell if I was having any side effects,which one was causing it.

[Sashay2020]

I’m in the US. [edited by moderator] Was on [metformin] for several months, but it did not prevent my first recurrence. But that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. I stopped taking it because I am now doing time-restricted eating. I find the research by Valter Longo quite interesting. His book is “The Longevity Diet.” He is a respected researcher at a university in California and also in Italy. I have been on statins for years. Sashay [edited by moderator]

[CST1967]

Thanks Sashay - so statins are not needed to be prescribed with metformin? I am still not understanding why they are being suggested to be taken? X

[Stuee01 in reply to CST1967]

Hi there - you can read some information on this here.

journals.lww.com/oncology-t...

I'm not sure if you also visit the Inspire Ovarian cancer forum. It's more US focused, but the information is still useful. There was a post on this and members posted further info regarding this topic.

inspire.com/groups/ovarian-...

[Kblaisel]

My integrative oncologist prescribed me metformin and my gp renews the prescription when I need it refilled. I was on a statin through the Care Oncology (COC)program ( along with doxycycline, mebendazole and metformin) for 6 months. I understand COC was started in the UK and now also available in the US. Contact them and you will get the meds delivered to you.

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hello all,

Following the discussion about off licence medications, we wanted to remind you of the importance of speaking with your clinical team about this so that they can give you advice and information based on your own individual situation.

It is also important to make your clinical team aware of any medication or supplements that you are taking to ensure that they are safe for you and don’t interact with any treatments you may be receiving.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the support service team if we can help with any further information about this. You can contact us by calling our support line on 0800 008 7054 or by emailing [e-mail]. Our support services are available Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm.

Best wishes,

Cathryn

Ovacome Support

[Mumsie13]

Hi. I was actually taken off metformin and statins which I had been on for sometime for for diabetes and slightly raised cholesterol. As my cancer was already causing gastro intestinal issues I was told these drugs weren't doing me any favours. I am managing my diabetes and cholesterol without them - blood tests are almost normal. I was taking these drugs before and during chemo treatment. I had two years remission before my first recurrence but I wasn't on a planned cancer regime so I wouldn't like to say if these drugs helped. I think there is still no enough research.