Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Cause Cancer?

English scientists say that blood pressure drugs can increase cancer risk. They’ve uncovered the relationship between popular blood pressure medicines known as angiotensin receptor blockers, or ARBs, and cancers of the breast, prostate, and lung.

Their research – an analysis of previous research involving 60,000 people – found that those who took the drugs had about a 1 percent higher risk of getting cancer than those not taking the drugs.

Millions of people around the world take ARBs to treat high blood pressure and related conditions, including heart failure and diabetic kidney disease.

ARBs are sold under brand names including Cozaar and Diovan, although much of the data used in the study involved an ARB sold as Micardis, according to the Wall Street Journal.