Contents:
- Medical Video: Patient Education Video: Low Testosterone
- What causes prostate cancer?
- Why is the high testosterone hormone associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer?
- The high testosterone does not always cause an increase in PSA levels, a determinant of prostate cancer
- Better to prevent prostate cancer with a healthy lifestyle
Medical Video: Patient Education Video: Low Testosterone
The hormone testosterone is often associated with sexual vitality and male virility. That is why many men are competing to increase testosterone in their bodies in various ways. But it seems you need to be more careful. A number of studies report that testosterone levels that are too high can be a factor in prostate cancer. Why is that?
What causes prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the type of cancer that most often attacks men. It is estimated that one in seven men is at risk for this cancer.
The cause of prostate cancer is still unclear to this day. Even so, prostate cancer can occur when prostate cells develop out of control to form a tumor that urges and damages the surrounding tissue. The prostate itself is a gland the size of a walnut that lies below the bladder. The prostate produces semen that carries sperm.
DNA mutations can cause prostate cells to grow malignant and divide faster than normal cells, making them cancer cells. DNA mutations that cause prostate cancer are mainly triggered by aging, but their development can be accelerated with an unhealthy lifestyle. For example, rarely exercise, smoke, and high-fat diet that can lead to obesity.
Why is the high testosterone hormone associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer?
Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced in the testicles.Ideally, testosterone levels must be balanced. May not be excessive or lacking.
Some studies show that it is true that high testosterone can trigger prostate cancer cell growth. A study from Oxford University published in BMC Medicine, for example, reported that large, tall men were more prone to malignant prostate cancer. Meanwhile, another study by the Harvard's Health Professionals research team reported that men who experience difficulty ejaculating or rarely ejaculating are also at higher risk of prostate cancer.
Both of these studies have the same common thread, namely the amount of testosterone in the body. The testosterone hormone is basically responsible for producing sperm as well as helping growth and development while maintaining muscle and bone mass.
High levels of testosterone help to form large high body postures, which are associated with early puberty and fulfillment of nutrients at the beginning of the growth period. Certain hormones and foods that encourage growth in childhood can increase a man's risk of prostate cancer.
Meanwhile, the prostate continues to produce sperm. But the less you ejaculate, the more testosterone and carcinogens that accumulate in sperm and / or semen for a long time. Over time, this pile of foreign substances can cause inflammation and is thought to be a cause of prostate cancer.
Even so, the relationship between excessive testosterone levels and an increased risk of prostate cancer is still controversial. There are no scientific studies that can prove a direct causal relationship between the high testosterone and the risk of prostate cancer.
The high testosterone does not always cause an increase in PSA levels, a determinant of prostate cancer
In a 2015 study published in the Medicine journal, an increase Testosterone levels due to hormone therapy do not cause elevated levels prostate specific antigen (PSA). Prostate cancer can occur when PSA levels increase in the blood.
This shows that high levels of testosterone are not the main benchmark that can be used as a factor in the risk of prostate cancer. In fact, a number of studies have shown that people with low testosterone levels are more at risk for prostate cancer.
Because the data is still confusing, experts and doctors around the world have not been able to agree on whether the low levels of testosterone affect the development of prostate cancer. Further research is still needed to strengthen the evidence surrounding these theories.
Better to prevent prostate cancer with a healthy lifestyle
Currently, the cause of cancer itself is still being studied. However, you can prevent the appearance of prostate cancer with the following things.
- Take care of your diet and increase consumption of vegetables and fruit.
- Avoid foods with saturated fats.
- Eat foods with omega-3 fatty acids, for example from fish.
- Keep your body weight ideal. Check whether your weight is now ideal at bit.ly/indeksmassatubuh or in this link.
- Quit smoking.
- Check with your doctor if you feel symptoms such as frequent urination, incomplete urination, and pain when urinating or ejaculating.
