New study dispels long held myth that Testosterone Replacement Treatment raises risk of prostate cancer.
The findings of a two year study** by clinicians from the Andropause Society (The Society for the Study of Androgen Deficiency) released to coincide with the inaugural Andropause Awareness Week (2nd - 8th of October 2011) has firmly ruled out a long held myth that Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) used to treat Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (Andropause, Male Menopause, Hypogonadism) may increase a patients chance of developing Prostate Cancer. (See summary of research below).
Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (Andropause, Male Menopause, Hypogonadism), a serious condition characterised by depression, weight gain, brain fog, memory loss, irritability, night sweats decreased sex drive, erection problems, loss of energy and associated with heart failure, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis, is estimated to affect 2 million men over 50* and an undetermined number of younger males. Research shows only 1% of sufferers have been diagnosed and treated. *
Commenting on the outcome of the new research by Andropause Society trustees, Dr Mark Feneley and Dr Malcolm Carruthers, conducted with 1500 patients, the charity's secretary Jean Coleman said, "It is extremely gratifying to know we can finally remove one of the obstacles that has seemingly prevented the medical profession from treating this common hormonal disturbance in men, which can wreck their lives, loves and health."
She added, "Unfortunately the views about the dangers of TRT are about 20 years out of date. The experience of clinicians working in this important area of men's health has shown that rather than being dangerous, carefully regulated and monitored TRT has been shown to be remarkably safe. This is backed by recent studies showing the medical benefits of testosterone treatment as emphasised by Professor Tom Trinick, from the Department of Chemical Pathology at The Ulster Hospital Belfast and previous Chairman of the Andropause Society, that highlight the benefits of TRT. Evidence shows it reduces obesity, can prevent complications of diabetes, lowers cholesterol and is being used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in diabetics."
References
* *Trinick T.R.,Feneley M.R. Welford H, Carruthers M. Department of Chemical Pathology The Ulster Hospital Belfast, Institute of Urology & Nephrology University College Hospital London, Centre for Men's Health, The Aging Male 2010 1-6 *International web survey shows high prevalence of symptomatic testosterone deficiency in men. July 2010 Informa healthcare.
ABSTRACT
**IS TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT GOOD FOR THE PROSTATE? STUDY OF SAFETY DURING LONG-TERM TREATMENT M.R. Feneley1 and M. Carruthers2 (1 Institute of Urology and Nephrology, University College Hospital, London, UK2 Centre for Men's Health, London, UK)
Introduction. For men with androgen deficiency who are managed with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), clinical concern relates to the development of prostate cancer (PCa). An updated audit of prostate safety from the UK Androgen Study (UKAS) is presented analyzing the incidence of PCa at baseline screening, and during long-term TRT.
Methods. Men aged 28 - 87 (median 55) years (N = 1,3650 with symptomatic androgen deficiency and receiving TRT have been monitored for up to 20 years. All patients were pre-screened for PCa by digital rectal examination (DRE) and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), with assessment every 6 month of endocrine, biochemical, hematological and urinary profiles. Abnormal findings or rising PSA were investigated by transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsy. The data were compared for the 4 different testosterone preparations used in TRT, including pellet Implants, Restandol, Mesterolone, and Testogel.
Results. Fourteen new cases of PCa were diagnosed at ages 57 - 78 years, after 2,966 man-years of treatment (1 case per 212 years). Time to diagnosis ranged from 6 months to 12 years (median 5.9 years). All tumors were clinically localized, and suitable for potentially curative treatment. Initiating testosterone treatment had no statistically significant effect on total PSA, free PSA or total/free PSA ratio, and any initial PSA change had no predictive relationship to subsequent diagnosis of cancer.
Conclusions. The incidence of PCa in this group of men treated with testosterone over many years was equivalent to that expected in the general population. This study adds to the considerable weight of evidence that with proper clinical monitoring, testosterone treatment is safe for the prostate, and improves early detection of PCa. By reducing lower urinary tract symptoms, and the diverse structural changes in the genitourinary tract caused by hormone deficiency, testosterone treatment may be considered overall to be good for the prostate and safer for the individual than any alternative without surveillance.