Calcium channel blockers and cancer

PURPOSE: We sought to explore the relation that has been previously reporte d between calcium channel blockers and an increased risk of cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We followed 3,511 participants, age 65 years or older , in the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elde rly for up to 10 years. Information about use of medications was obtained a t baseline and 3 and 6 years later. Information about hospitalization for c ancer, or death from cancer, was obtained from Health Care Financing Admini stration data and death certificates. RESULTS: Of the 133 users of calcium channel blockers, 16 (12%) developed c ancer, compared with 548 (16%) of 3,378 nonusers (hazard ratio = 0.9; 95% c onfidence interval, 0.5 to 1.5). Adjusting for baseline and time-dependent covariates, such as race, diabetes, or blood pressure, for dose or class of calcium channel blockers, or for length of follow-up, had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: Use of calcium channel blockers does not appear to be related to cancer risk. Earlier reports showing such a relation may have been the r esult of chance. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.