Vasectomy may increase risk of aggressive prostate cancer
Vasectomy is associated with a small increased risk of prostate cancer, and a stronger risk for advanced or lethal prostate cancer, according to a new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). The researchers found that the association remained even among men who received regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, suggesting the increased risk of lethal cancer cannot be explained by diagnostic bias. It is the largest and most comprehensive study to date to look at the link between vasectomy and prostate cancer. The study appeared online July 7 in Journal of Clinical Oncology. The results showed a 10 percent increased risk of prostate cancer overall in men who had a vasectomy. Vasectomy was not significantly associated with risk of low-grade cancer; however, it was associated with stronger risks of advanced and lethal prostate cancer, by an additional 20 percent and 19 percent respectively. Among men who received regular PSA screening, the...