Lots of sex ups prostate risk

The more sexually active a man is in his 20s and 30s, the greater his risk of prostate cancer, suggests a UK study that included 400 prostate cancer patients and 409 men without the disease.

The men were questioned about their sexual behaviors while younger. About 40% of the prostate cancer patients had had at least six female sexual partners, compared with less than a third of the cancer-free men, BBC News reported.

The Nottingham University study found that 40% of the prostate cancer patients were sexually active (masturbation or sex) at least 20 times a month or more in their 20s, compared with 32% of those without prostate cancer.

It's possible that higher levels of sex hormones could be the cause of a higher sex drive and increased prostate cancer risk, said the researchers. The study appears in the journal BJU International.

While the study is useful, more research is needed, John Neate, chief executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity in the UK, said. "The role of sexual activity is becoming an increasing focus for prostate cancer research, but unfortunately this study does little to offer any practical advice to men wishing to reduce their risk of the disease," Neate said. – (HealthDay News, January 2009)

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