Recent Studies Refute Link Between High Testosterone Levels and Prostate Cancer

Despite the many benefits of testosterone replacement therapy, some men remain wary of the treatment due to concerns about the possible link between testosterone and prostate cancer. While research from the 1940s seemed to indicate a correlation between higher testosterone levels and prostate cancer growth, research in recent years has been refuting this link. Some studies are even finding that there seems to be a greater risk of prostate cancer in men with low testosterone levels.

One study that examined the past two decades of research into the potential links between higher testosterone levels and prostate cancer concluded that recent research has resulted in a “paradigm shift in beliefs, attitudes, and treatment”. The combined two decades of research suggest that the “limited” 1940-era’s research may have been flawed and that high testosterone levels do not increase prostate cancer risk. The past two decades of research also suggest that testosterone replacement therapy can be safely used by those with prostate cancer, and may prove beneficial to some men fighting the disease.     

Another recent study lends even more evidence that testosterone replacement therapy may benefit those who have successfully undergone prostate cancer treatment. Another study found that men with low levels of free testosterone three months after prostate surgery appeared to face a greater chance of early recurrence of the disease than those with high levels. The study also found that higher levels of free testosterone do not seem to further the progression of prostate cancer. The data was released by researchers from the University of California-Irvine during the American Urological Association’s annual meeting in May.

Of the 800 patients studied, just over 20% experienced biochemical recurrence, the primary blood-test marker for tracking the return of prostate cancer. The free testosterone levels of those affected was significantly lower than those patients who did not show signs of biochemical recurrence.

Another Study Shows no increased Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer        

Meanwhile, results from a study released in 2018 indicated that testosterone replacement therapy does not increase the risk for aggressive prostate cancer. Researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine studied the medical records of almost 150,000 men who had been diagnosed with low testosterone between 2002 and 2011. Of the research subjects, almost 60,000 received testosterone replacement therapy. The researchers found that the incident rate of those men subsequently being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer were almost identical between those receiving replacement therapy and those not.

Dr. B Uses an Effective Approach in Treating Low Testosterone

Dr. B keeps close track of research relating to hormone replacement therapy and prostate cancer to ensure her patients receive the safest treatment in addressing the debilitating effects of low testosterone levels. She also relies on a novel hormone replacement delivery mechanism that returns testosterone to normal levels more smoothly and effectively.

Hormone pellet therapy relies on plant-based testosterone that is inserted into fatty tissue under the skin in pellet form. The small pellet slowly releases testosterone into the bloodstream, which your body absorbs according to its need. This delivery method ensures that appropriate amounts of testosterone are delivered and avoids side-effects associated with other delivery methods, such as injections, creams, and pills.

Among potential benefits of hormone pellet therapy are:

• Decreased cardiovascular risk
• Increased bone density
• Increased hemoglobin levels in men with anemia
• Enhanced ability to lose fat and increase lean body mass
• Better libido
• Improvements in mood, vitality, energy levels, and overall sexual function

To learn more about hormone pellet therapy, and Dr. B’s approach to treating men with symptoms of low testosterone, contact Dr. B’s Naples-based Internal Medicine practice today. You can reach Dr. B through our easy online form, or by calling 239-261-9990.