Private MD News

Heart disease may increase prostate cancer risk

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Men who have received unhealthy cholesterol test results may benefit from speaking to their physician about their risk of prostate cancer, as well. A new study indicates that individuals with heart disease may also be more likely to develop prostate cancer.

The Duke Cancer Institute researchers who conducted the study said their findings suggest that prostate cancer and heart disease may share many risk factors. Therefore, taking steps to improve cardiovascular health may have the added benefit of reducing prostate cancer risk.

For the study, the team administered PSA tests to 6,390 men over a four-year period. The results showed that individuals who entered the study with symptoms of heart disease were 35 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer at some time during the investigation. Men who had suffered from heart disease the longest faced the highest risk.

"What's good for the heart may be good for the prostate," said Jean-Alfred Thomas II, who led the study. He added that it was not clear from the results what was responsible for the association, but further investigation may clarify this question.