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Are
men with pattern baldness more likely to develop prostate cancer
?
Prostate cancer is believed to be influenced by serum androgen
levels with high levels associated with an increased prostate cancer
risk.
Because of this some scientists have hypothesized that other androgen
dependent disorders, like androgenetic alopecia, may be clinical
indicators of prostate cancer susceptibility. However, a few studies
looking at extent of hair loss, androgen concentrations, and prostate
cancer have found no significant link between the degree of hair
loss and cancer.
Although androgenetic alopecia can be promoted by very high hormone
concentrations, there is no direct association between hormone concentration
and hair loss. Many men may have normal, or below normal, androgen
levels and still have extensive hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia
involves are very complex interaction between androgens, receptors,
and androgen inhibitors. It is unlikely that any direct association
between extent of hair loss and prostate cancer susceptibility will
be found.
Are
men with pattern baldness more likely to develop prostate cancer
references
- Demark-Wahnefried
W, Lesko SM, Conaway MR, Robertson CN, Clark RV, Lobaugh B, Mathias
BJ, Strigo TS, Paulson DF. Serum androgens: associations with
prostate cancer risk and hair patterning. J Androl. 1997 Sep-Oct;18(5):495-500.
- Gann
PH, Hennekens CH, Ma J, Longcope C, Stampfer MJ. Prospective study
of sex hormone levels and risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer
Inst. 1996 Aug 21;88(16):1118-26.
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