Male pattern baldness may predict aggressive prostate cancer

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) —

According to a new study, androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, may predict a heightened risk of developing an aggressive type of prostate cancer.

Researchers looked at the incidences of prostate cancer among 40,000 men who completed a baldness survey between 1993 and 2001. Their analysis showed men who reported male pattern baldness at age 45 were 39 percent more likely to develop an aggressive form of prostate cancer than others. Balding men weren’t more likely to develop less-aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss; it’s characterized by a receding hairline and thinning around the crown of the head.

Researchers said their study does not show cause and effect, and that more research is necessary before doctors can say exactly what precautions are warranted for men with male pattern baldness.

"It is conceivable that, in the future, male pattern baldness may play a small role in estimating risk of prostate cancer and may contribute to discussions between doctors and patients about prostate cancer screening," study co-author Michael Cook, a researcher with the U.S. National Cancer Institute, told Healthday.

Androgenic alopecia is the result of skin and hair follicles being exposed to testosterone over several decades. The problem isn’t necessarily the amount of testosterone in the skin, but the skin’s ability to process the hormone — some men’s skin is more capable than others. It’s believed testosterone also plays a key role in encouraging the development of prostate cancer.

As of now, the new study does little to provide an answer to the ongoing debate over prostate cancer screening. Most health experts say prostate screening for all men is a waste of time and money. The American Cancer Society says a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer during his lifetime is 15.3 percent. And the risk of losing one’s life to the cancer is 2.7 percent.

But if further research can better tease out the link between baldness and prostate cancer, doctors may be able to make a more informed recommendation about who should and shouldn’t be screened.

The study was published online this week in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.