“Good cholesterol” reduces the risk of bowel cancer

Scientists have found high blood levels of HDL, so called “good cholesterol”, are linked to a reduced risk of bowel cancer. A Dutch study involving 2400 participants found that people with the highest levels of HDL had the lowest risk of bowel cancer, even when other cancer risk factors were taken into account. Authors suggest that HDL may dampen inflammatory processes in the bowel which lead to the formation of cancer.