Vasectomy is a form of contraception that involves cutting or sealing the underground that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra . There is an ongoing argument as to whether vasectomy may increase the risk of prostate cancer .
Some of the most late enquiry suggests that vasectomy may slightly increase the danger of prostate gland genus Cancer . However , other current clinical guidepost still state that those who undergo vasectomy are at no with child risk of develop prostate cancer than those who have not had the procedure .
Does a vasectomy increase the risk of prostate cancer?
TheAmerican Cancer Society ( ACS)explains how some studies suggest that people who have had a vasectomy have a slimly increase risk of developing prostate gland Crab , while other studies have find no increase risk . research worker continue to investigate a possible tie between vasectomy and prostate cancer .
A2021 meta - analysisnotes that the argument as to whether vasectomy increase the risk of prostate gland cancer has continue for more than three decades and uphold to this day .
What does the research say?
A2017 meta - analysisof 53 studies imply more than 14.7 million participant establish a slight but almost unimportant association between vasectomy and prostate cancer . The same bailiwick show no affiliation between vasectomy and high - form , advanced , or fateful prostate cancer .
The study authors concluded that the connexion between vasectomy and prostate gland cancer is unlikely to be causal and that it should not discourage individuals from undergoing vasectomy forcontraceptivepurposes .
A more recent2024 randomization study and analysisfocusing on those with European stock find that vasectomy was not a risk constituent for prostate Cancer the Crab . The source specify that more inquiry is necessary to ply further confirmation .
Contrastingly , a2022 revaluation and analysisexplored the association between vasectomy and prostate Crab risk in 37 studies of more than 16.9 million people .
The field of study showed a meaning association between vasectomy and the risk of exposure of developing low - grade , or localise , prostate Crab . However , it is not clear from this work whether vasectomy directly make prostate Crab .
However , an earlier2021 meta - analysisof 58 studies involving more than 16.9 million participants also investigate the association between vasectomy and prostate Crab peril . The subject field found that vasectomy was significantly link with an increased risk of humbled - grade , intermediate - mark , and advanced prostate Cancer .
The report author concluded that hoi polloi considering a vasectomy should discuss the potential risk of prostate gland cancer with their doctor before undergoing the procedure .
Research limitations
A2021 reviewexplains one of the leading research limitations among survey investigating the association between vasectomy and prostate gland genus Cancer risk . It spotlight that people who undergo vasectomies are more likely to receive medicalprostate examinationsandprostate cancer viewing .
As such , rates of prostate cancer detective work among people who have undergo a vasectomy are mellow than those who have not had the procedure . This may explicate the affiliation between vasectomy and increased prostate cancer jeopardy .
However , because screening reduces the endangerment of advanced and fatal prostate gland Cancer the Crab , these type of Cancer are likely to be less common among hoi polloi who have undergone vasectomy than those who have not had the procedure .
This may be why some study have shown an connection between vasectomy and prostate genus Cancer diagnoses but no association between vasectomy and aggressive , advanced , or fatal prostate Cancer the Crab type .
Does a vasectomy reversal increase the risk of prostate cancer?
A2018 international meta - analysisinvestigated the effect of vasectomy reversal on prostate gland cancer peril , using information from five data substance across Australia , Canada , and the United Kingdom .
The study compared the risk of prostate cancer in 9,754 multitude who had undergone vasectomy reversal and 684,660 citizenry who had undergone a vasectomy without reversal . It receive no protective effect of vasectomy reversal on the incidence of prostate genus Cancer .
Current guidelines
TheAmerican Urological Association ( AUA)updated its clinical guidelines on vasectomy in 2015 , and they remain in use today .
The guidelines , informed by research findings at that clip , state that those who had a vasectomy were at no greater jeopardy of developing prostate malignant neoplastic disease than those who had not had the procedure .
The AUA thus concluded that doctors did not call for to discuss any risk of exposure of prostate Crab with the great unwashed view a vasectomy .
If anyone is concerned about the link between vasectomy and prostate cancer , they can talk with their doctor .
Prostate cancer risks and prevention
grant to theACS , the three main risk factors for develop prostate gland cancer are :
It is not always potential to forestall prostate cancer because people are unable to curb the main jeopardy factors . However , a person can prove the following to potentiallyreduce the riskof evolve prostate gland cancer :
People can also talk with a doctor about the proportional risks and benefit of prostate Crab sieve with a prostate - specific antigen ( PSA ) test and rectal examination .
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one cause of prostate cancer?
According to theUnited Kingdom ’s National Health Service ( NHS ) , scientists are still not light on what causes prostate gland Crab . However , some factors that appear to increase the risk include :
Can a vasectomy lower the risk of prostate cancer?
There is no evidence to suggest that a vasectomy can lower the risk of prostate gland Crab .
Summary
There is ongoing debate as to whether vasectomy increase the risk of prostate Crab . The AUA last updated its guidelines on vasectomy back in 2015 , and these guideline indicate that people who undergo vasectomy are at no neat endangerment of develop prostate gland cancer than those who have not had the procedure .
However , some research indicate a small but statistically significant association between vasectomy and prostate gland cancer , though it is not clear whether the association is causal . Moreover , some of these study show no association between vasectomy and aggressive , advanced , or fatal prostate malignant neoplastic disease , while others do show such an association .
The departure in finding may be because people who have a vasectomy are more likely to undergo prostate gland cancer cover .
Prostate cancer resources
Visit our dedicated hub for more research - endorse information and in - depth resources onprostate Crab .