Infertile men linked to higher prostate risk

Scientists believe there may be as-yet unknown common biological pathways underlying both conditions.

Researchers in the US made the discovery after looking

at more than 22,000 men assessed for infertility at 15 Californian clinics.

Their incidence of prostate cancer was compared with that of a sample of men of similar age from the general population.

A total of 168 cases of the disease developed among the study group – slightly less than the expected rate of 185.

But 4,500 men confirmed as being infertile were 2.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with high grade prostate cancer than men who were tested and not found to be infertile.

The findings were reported today in the journal Cancer.

The team led by Dr Thomas Walsh, from the University of Washington in Seattle, said if the results were confirmed by other studies it may be appropriate for infertile men to be considered for early prostate cancer screening.

But Dr Helen Rippon, head of research management at The Prostate Cancer Charity, pointed out the number of men in the study diagnosed with aggressive forms of prostate cancer was very small, making it difficult to interpret the results.

She said: "Being able to identify early and with confidence men who are at risk from a high grade, potentially life-threatening prostate tumour from those who are likely to develop a slow growing form of the disease is one of the most important questions facing prostate cancer research today.

"The findings of this research offer little practical advice to men wishing to reduce their risk of the disease. This potential new risk factor would need to be backed up by further, large scale studies before any recommendations can be made about targeting early screening for prostate cancer at men with fertility problems."

Each year 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in Britain and 10,000 die.