“Does Testosterone Cause Prostate Cancer?” by HealthGains Team
by HealthGains Team
For decades, healthcare professionals have mistakenly assumed that testosterone therapy increases a man’s risk of prostate cancer. Research conducted over the last few years has finally laid this myth to rest by showing that men who undergo testosterone replacement due to low testosterone may not be at an increased risk of prostate cancer as previously thought.
What New Research Finds
One of the most recent studies on testosterone was conducted in 2014 in the United Kingdom. Researchers analyzed about 1,400 men who were receiving testosterone replacement therapy for up to twenty years. The team found just 14 men developed prostate cancer over the study period.
This is equal to one diagnosis of prostate cancer per year for every 212 men. Among the general population of men between 65 and 69, there is usually one diagnosis per 200 every year. This means that this study actually finds that testosterone replacement therapy isn’t just safe — it’s actually good for prostate health.
Andropause and Testosterone Therapy
While testosterone levels vary a great deal, they tend to decline with age, sometimes causing men to experience “andropause.” Unlike menopause, andropause does not happen to all men. Not all men experience a rapid decline in testosterone, and because the decline is gradual, it can be easy to overlook the symptoms.
There are many symptoms of low testosterone in men, including bone loss, depression, chronic fatigue, low libido, and lost muscle mass. Testosterone replacement therapy can safely reverse these symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Based on the results of recent research, healthcare professionals and researchers now say that testosterone therapy is completely safe as long as your testosterone levels are monitored. It’s still unknown, however, if testosterone therapy is safe for men who had prostate cancer already.
All recent evidence only reinforces the idea that testosterone therapy is safe for prostate health and important for men who want to reverse the symptoms of a hormone deficiency. If you suspect you have low T, it’s important to discuss your concerns with your doctor and develop a customized testosterone therapy program.