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February 15th, 2011
08:05 PM ET
Balding in 20s could hint at prostate cancer later in lifeMen who start losing their hair at 20 may be twice as likely to get prostate cancer later in life, a new study suggests. "'Any type of balding [at age 20] is a risk factor for prostate cancer," suggests Dr. Michael Yassa, lead author of the study and a radiation oncologist at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital in Montreal, Canada. He says an earlier study suggested that back of the head balding was worse, but this study found any type of balding is a risk factor for prostate cancer. Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, affects about 50% of men and a link between testosterone and baldness has been established. Likewise, stopping testosterone production is one way prostate cancer is treated. But an actual link between the baldness and prostate cancer has not been established – and this new study published in the cancer journal Annals of Oncology can't do it either. Yassa says rather than starting with men who were 20 and follow them for 50 years, he and his colleagues studied 388 men with prostate cancer and 281 healthy men and asked how bald they were at age 20,30 and 40. When a man's hair began to thin in his 30s or 40s, the risk for prostate cancer did not go up according to the research. The study authors emphasize that they only observed an association between losing hair and getting prostate cancer. They did not test the men's testosterone levels, so they did cannot prove higher hormone levels played a role. But they believe their research suggests male pattern baldness at an early age could be a marker for being at increased risk for developing this type of cancer. Yassa says his own research isn't changing what he does in his practice. He says if a man who didn't start balding at the age of 20 comes into his office and asks if he should be screened for prostate cancer he would tell him, "There's a debate for screening and there are sometimes false positives." "We encourage further work on the subject," the authors say.
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
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Baldness is caused by an enzyme produced by the liver called 5-alphareductase that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Baldness affects men earlier than women because they have more testosterone and so they have more potential to have high levels of DHT. DHT, can be thought of as a super form of testosterone. Over time DHT over stimulates certain tissues, hair and the prostate, for example and causes these tissues to get used-up early and leading to prostate cancer and scalp hair loss. 5-alphareductase also combines with progesterone to form dihydroprogesterone (DHP). It is possible but not proven that DHP causes breast cancer by the same mechanism as DHT causes prostate cancer.
Suzanne-
What an incredible description. The CNN journalist should have consulted with you in order to articulate clearly the connection between baldness and prostate cancer. Well done!
I think you're simplifying it a bit by saying the "tissues get used up early" leading to scalp hair loss and prostate cancer. The link between testosterone, DHT and prostate cancer is still being studied obviously. Higher levels of testosterone have been linked both with hair loss and prostate cancer (IIRC) but just testosterone gets metabolized to DHT doesn't mean it is the DHT that is causing the damage. In fact, at least for the prostate, it would make much more sense that testosterone has the bigger effect (which I also believe research has shown) while it is DHT on the scalp. DHT causes the hair shaft to create hairs that are thinner/shorter until the hair within the shaft can no longer be seen (ie bald spot.) This has been proven by research as well as the efficacy of topical anti-androgens like ketoconazole and minoxidil.
Oh cool. I'm in the clear.. Yay me.
Saying DHT is the only reason for balding is oversimplifying the issue. DHT has not been conclusively linked to balding, as some men who do NOT have high levels of DHT still experience balding. It is a potential cause, but certain types of estrogen have been shown to potentially be a cause for balding. Further study is required before a definitive answer can be given.
And women who copulate with these guys have higher incident of ovarian and uterine cancers.
dang, sucks for my 20 year old friend who is already balding!
this could lend credence to the idea that a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor such as finasteride(trade name Propecia) or dutasteride(trade name Avodart) could reduce this risk somewhat. With the really inert nature of finasteride with few side effects (it is also only an inhibitor of 1 subtype of the enzyme as compared to Dutasteride which inhibits both subtypes but carries more side effect risk), it seems that this should be recommended to men who are going bald at an early age for more than just cosmetic reasons.
Propecia rules – Save your hair and at the same time stop the DHT from abusing your prostate!!!! Read up! Its TRUE!
Thanks Suzanne and Rob for the thoughtful biochemical input!
Read the complete opposite here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8569826.stm
The Brits (in medicine) are NOTORIOUS for being dubious of any medical connections. Read Suzanne Smith's comment above. Makes sense to me... and like the authors of this study mentioned, more studies are needed.
And Americans are NOTORIOUS for being dubious in reading comprehension...the link he gave was to a US study...
Do they have diseases for being too stupid?
For what it's worth, I'm 32 and aside from several other symptoms that ended in many trips to a doctor, lots of blood work and a rheumatologist to finally diagnose me correctly with hypothyroidism, I too was losing or had a visibly noticeable thinning of my hair on the front and top of my scalp. Hair loss is one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and with the proper dosage of thyroid hormone, all of my symptoms have subsided and my hair has returned almost to what it was before I started noticing it thinning. Point being, your hair-loss may or MAY NOT be a sign of prostrate problems. Either way, check with your doctor but don't go running out thinking you have cancer either.
I actually am 20 and have moderate thinning on the back of my scalp and have been since the later half of high school. It's only been recently that it's been thinning out on the rest of my head, but do you think most cases can be solved by thyroid hormones? I actually heard from a from a friend the other day that they heard about a break through with the thyroid hormone and hair loss so it was kinda a relief seeing your post. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
ryan-you should go to your primary care physician and they will be able to see with simple bloodwork if it is a thyroid problem, a vitamin intake problem or otherwise. Unfortunately, with your description of typical male pattern baldness it is likely not a thyroid problem, especially if you aren't experiencing any symptoms. The vast majority of men in their 20's and 30's who have thinning/hair loss problems are dealing with typical and very common androgenic alopeica, and that is why you just want to rule out any other possibilities. Luckily for you since it hasn't been so long, a drug regimen consisting of rogaine, propecia and a shampoo called nizoral has been shown to potentially have a synergistic effect on reversing hair loss and even in re-growing hair. It takes persistence though and for the results of these medications to continue you would need to continue the medications. Either way my advice is see your PCP and have them do routine bloodwork to see if there is any other explanation for the hair loss.
Primary care physician, got it. Thanks, rob.
My youngest step-brothers were both balding in their 20's. Their Father had Prostate cancer in his seventies, they already have had the cancer. At 60 I am balding but have no issues and a low PSA. This could be a BIG clue.
Nowadays everything is a risk for cancer like one guy said going to school causes cancer im not trying to offend people with cancer i hope everyone who has cancer beats this dieses it is just i hear it alll the time that pretty much everything causes cancer
My uncle had a full head of hair in his 70s but got prostate cancer anyway.
Balding, grey hair, acne, heart disease, arthritis, too heavy, too thin, hormone problems, thyroid problems, adrenal problems, cancer and all the rest are caused by the junk we are putting in our bodies. Unnatural foods, processed foods, drugs, alcohol, x-rays, fluoride, smokes, immunizations and the like. And it can all be repaired with the consumption or real foods, unprocessed foods and real fats like coconut oil, grass fed butters and grass fed meats. Plenty of real free range eggs and lower carbohydrates start our body on the healing path. Reduce and then avoid chips, bread, bagels, cookies, cake, pasta dn all other processed foods. They are killing us. http://www.wapf.org will get you started. Good luck and remember or look up "bread and circuses"
Drink black tea to help suppress DHT level. A clinical research found black tea to help lower DHT level, and thus stopping hair loss. Black tea is more effective than Propecia with 74% effective rate vs 71% Propecia.
haha right
Men who come more frequently are less likely to experience prostate and urinary problems later in life. I am currently engaged in...er...single-handed research into this matter. I'll advise all of you the results in a few decades.
A real good way to promote inflammation of the prostate, and or prostate cancer is to drink lots of milk. Milk contains high levels of Bovine growth hormone. The result is increased levels of DHT, this and elevated levels of antibiotics. Lactate is very hard for the human body to break down. There is a protein produced by ingesting Milk, this protein coagulates causing a thick sticky substance. This rejection of Milk is how Elmer's glue is made. Industrial farm manufactured milk is toxic to humans.
Man, it really, really sucks for balding guys. Even more worse news. The least science could do is help grow hair back, jeez.
I read something on the internet and so it must be a solid fact! Seems a bit random chance, to me.
A receding hairline can be a good thing, according to US scientists, who say men who go bald by 30 appear to be less likely to develop prostate cancer. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8569826.stm
My husband was balding out of high school. His 2 grandfathers and his father suffered prostate cancer. Thank goodness for better treatment/screening. His dad was caught early and had a fairly non-evasive treatment and a very positive outcome. I think they are dead on about this. They have plans for early screening...they did based on family history not this finding. Anything to help stop/prevent UGLY CANCER. I pray for the cures.
because bald guys go on less dates and spend more time crushing wings and beer..
Men, please do not use early hair loss, or the absence of it, as an indicator. My Dad, age 62, still has a very full head of hair, and was diagnosed with an agressive form of prostate cancer last year. Instead, famililarize yourself with the urinary signs and symptoms, and begin PSA and digital exams at 45, or 40 if you have paternal family history of prostate cancer.
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/cancerProstate.shtml
Dang! And here I always felt that baldness was the sign of a great thinker or a great lover. How disappointing to find out that all it will do is cause one's weenie to fall off.
My hair started falling out when I was 16 – I guess I should purchase some additional insurance?
I have a funny little note that someone may wish to articulate upon. When I was 20, I was heading overseas (as a private citizen) and I had s smallpox vaccination. I became a bit ill from it for a few days. Later on, I noticed that my scalp was sore. By the time I was 21, I thought that I was losing a bit of hair. After a few more years I was sure, but I didn't really begin to lose hair until I was about 33. My mother's side of the family does have the trait. But here's the issue, I always felt that the vaccination triggered the male pattern baldness early. Then, in around 1988 or so, I read a short piece in a medical journal that claimed a link had been found between that vaccination and the onset of MPB. I have never seen or heard that again, but at the time it was an "ah ha!" moment. Any comments?
So, this test was done by asking men with prostate cancer when they started balding... admits it did not bother to check hormone levels, nor any other lifestyle questions... and than actually hinted at a link because of a correlation based on a sample size of less than 800 men!?!?!?
This "study" is so un-scientific it is hilarious. Since this gets to go up on CNN, I will submit my own:
CNN, please publish my findings: Studies show cars with many empty bottles of alcohol inside of them frequently are found to have crashed.... I believe it is possible that empty bottles of alcohol are causing the weight ratio in cars to shift, making them pull into objects on the road or off the road.
Sure, this is just a correlation, but provide hints throughout that this is in fact causation. Thank you!
I'm in mid 20s, and getting bald. What should i do.?
This study raises the question: is baldness a risk factor for prostate cancer; but does not answer the question, as prostate cancer has multiple risk factors. Finasteride may have the potential to prevent prostate cancer, but this issue remains controversial and unresolved. Age guidelines for obtaining prostate cancer screening using PSA are well established but screening itself is controversial.
Propecia causes degeneration of penile tissues:
banpropecia blogspot com
Asian J Androl. 2003 Mar;5(1):33-6. Effect of androgen deprivation on penile ultrastructure. Shen ZJ, Zhou XL, Lu YL, Chen ZD.
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