Prostate drug dutasteride 'may cut cancer risk'
A drug already used in men with enlarged prostates seems to cut the risk of prostate cancer developing, a large international study has shown.
A four-year trial in more than 6,500 men found those who took dutasteride had a 23% lower risk of prostate cancer than those who took a dummy pill.
The men in the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were all at high risk of the disease.
UK experts welcomed the results but said longer-term research was needed.
It is not the first time that this class of drugs has been found to have potential effects on the prevention of prostate cancer.
In 2003, researchers showed a similar drug, finasteride, cut the risk of prostate cancer by a quarter in healthy men but also found that the tumours that were detected were more aggressive.
Both drugs are prescribed in men who have an enlarged but benign prostate gland - an extremely common condition that happens with age and can cause symptoms such as frequent and painful urination.
More Information http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8597157.stm
Masturbation 'cuts cancer risk'
They say cancer-causing chemicals could build up in the prostate if men do not ejaculate regularly.
And they say sexual intercourse may not have the same protective effect because of the possibility of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, which could increase men's cancer risk.
Australian researchers questioned over 1,000 men who had developed prostate cancer and 1,250 who had not about their sexual habits.
They found those who had ejaculated the most between the ages of 20 and 50 were the least likely to develop the cancer.
The protective effect was greatest while the men were in their 20s.
Men who ejaculated more than five times a week were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer later in life.
More Information http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3072021.stm
A drug already used in men with enlarged prostates seems to cut the risk of prostate cancer developing, a large international study has shown.
A four-year trial in more than 6,500 men found those who took dutasteride had a 23% lower risk of prostate cancer than those who took a dummy pill.
The men in the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were all at high risk of the disease.
UK experts welcomed the results but said longer-term research was needed.
It is not the first time that this class of drugs has been found to have potential effects on the prevention of prostate cancer.
In 2003, researchers showed a similar drug, finasteride, cut the risk of prostate cancer by a quarter in healthy men but also found that the tumours that were detected were more aggressive.
Both drugs are prescribed in men who have an enlarged but benign prostate gland - an extremely common condition that happens with age and can cause symptoms such as frequent and painful urination.
More Information http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8597157.stm
Masturbation 'cuts cancer risk'
They say cancer-causing chemicals could build up in the prostate if men do not ejaculate regularly.
And they say sexual intercourse may not have the same protective effect because of the possibility of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, which could increase men's cancer risk.
Australian researchers questioned over 1,000 men who had developed prostate cancer and 1,250 who had not about their sexual habits.
They found those who had ejaculated the most between the ages of 20 and 50 were the least likely to develop the cancer.
The protective effect was greatest while the men were in their 20s.
Men who ejaculated more than five times a week were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer later in life.
More Information http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3072021.stm
I think this thread will please men 
