17 March 2010
The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on new research into male pattern baldness and risk of prostate cancer
The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on new research published in Cancer Epidemiology which suggests that there is a link between male pattern baldness and developing prostate cancer.
Dr Helen Rippon, Head of Research Management at The Prostate Cancer Charity, explains: “It is well known that prostate cancer and male pattern baldness are two conditions which are strongly influenced by the male sex hormone testosterone and it is reasonable to expect that there may be some relationship between the risks of developing them.
“This new study, which asked almost 2,000 men – about half of whom had an experience of prostate cancer – to recall whether they had begun to experience hair loss around the age of 30, has produced some surprising results. The researchers discovered that those men who experienced baldness at an early age were at a modestly reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. These results were somewhat unexpected as our current understanding of both conditions suggests that the risk of developing either would increase or decrease together.
“This is an interesting piece of research which does add to our current knowledge about the risk of developing prostate cancer, but it does have some limitations. All of the men selected in this study were over 40 years old at the time they took part, and many men were considerably older than this. This means that the researchers were relying on these men to remember what their hair looked like a decade or more previously – and unfortunately these descriptions were not confirmed, for example with photographs.
“Clearly, the age at which a man begins to lose his hair is unfortunately not a risk factor for prostate cancer over which he has any control. However, if these results are correct, they could be useful in providing us with a greater understanding of how testosterone behaves in the body and how it can affect different tissues.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For further information contact: Vivienne Francis, Nikki Nagler or Claire Blackburn on 0208 222 7136/7670/7687. Out of hours contact: 0798 432 5001. Email: Vivienne.Francis@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Nicola.Nagler@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Claire.Blackburn@prostate-cancer.org.uk
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Every year in the UK 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. One man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK.
African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning.
If you have any queries about prostate cancer, call The Prostate Cancer Charity's confidential Helpline 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7 - 9pm or visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk