Recent studies link more frequent masturbation and ejaculation to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. A 2016 study examined the self-reported monthly ejaculation frequency of more than 31,000 men for 18 years via questionnaires. The findings revealed that there is a 31 percent reduced risk of prostate cancer on those who reported more than 21 ejaculations monthly as compared to men who only had four to seven ejaculations per month. The hypothesis behind this promising claim is that ejaculation helps remove the toxins present in the prostate—the more toxins are eliminated, the more frequent the ejaculation is.
Prostate Cancer
Next to skin cancers, the second most prevalent cancer among men is prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (2019), an estimate of 31,620 men in the US will die from prostate cancer out of the 174,650 men who will undergo a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2019 alone. Located in front of the rectum and between the bladder and the penis lies a walnut-sized organ called the prostate gland. This gland is responsible for the production of semen, a fluid essential for transporting the sperm via ejaculation. Not only limited to that, but other important functions of the prostate also include maintaining urine control and secreting a protein called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) that ensures the liquid nature of semen.
What makes prostate cancer deadly is because there are little to no symptoms in its early stages. Fortunately, it is possible to indicate the warning signs of cancer via undergoing a screening that determines the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood. Having high levels of PSA is an alarming indicator of cancer.
The cause of prostate cancer is not yet determined, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). However, ACS pointed out that old age, having a family history of prostate cancer, and coming from the African American race are among the most common risk factors an individual does not have control over. On the other hand, other risk factors can be changed, such as maintaining a diet low in saturated fat (Shimizu, 1991), regular exercise (Campos, 2018), and strictly observing a healthy weight (Parikesit, 2015).
The Science Behind Ejaculation and Prevention of Prostate Cancer
In another study from 2008 published in BJUI International, 800 male subjects showed varying findings depending on the age. Sexually active young men, in terms of masturbation and sex, have an increased risk of acquiring prostate cancer as early as in their 20s. On the other hand, men aged 50 and beyond with a proactive sexual lifestyle appear to have lower chances of developing prostate cancer.
In addition, a 2018 meta-analysis study from Sichuan University in China involved 21 studies that encompass more than 55,000 male volunteers. The researchers discovered two significant results. According to Jian (2018), the first outcome associates the decrease in prostate cancer risk to “moderate ejaculation” of two to four times a week. The second discovery points to the benefit of having fewer sexual partners and late involvement in sex—lowering the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Correlation is not causation—this is the gentle reminder of the scientists behind the abovementioned studies to prevent people from jumping to conclusions. As of date, the scope and quantity of scientific research are not enough to make any solid claims.
Prostate Cancer Prevention
However, Harvard Medical School declared that applying certain changes to one’s lifestyle can also lessen the risk of developing this disease. According to Schmidt (2018), some of these lifestyle changes include permanently stopping smoking and incorporating heart-friendly foods rich in omega-3 to the diet like cold-water fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines), nuts and seeds (chia seeds, walnuts, and flaxseed), whole grains, salads, plant-based protein, and plant oils (flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil). Furthermore, preliminary studies reveal that preventing prostate cancer can be achieved by maintaining an active lifestyle via regularly exercising and consuming 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.
How (and When) to Get Tested for Prostate Cancer
Screening the early signs of prostate cancer using blood is commonly known as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This blood test is used in measuring the level of PSA in the blood, wherein prostate cancer is linked to elevated levels of PSA.
Before 2010, PSA tests used to be administered regularly to men beyond 50 years of age in the United States. This practice was only renounced when the test was discovered to be inaccurate in the early 2010s. The danger of having any type of flawed examination is that overdiagnosis, leading to overtreatment, is the most likely outcome. However, Schmidt (2018) stated that the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated the recommendations for the PSA test in May 2018. Men between 55 and 69 years old now can prostate cancer screening using a PSA test under a doctor’s recommendation. Once men reach the age of 70, the PSA test for screening prostate cancer is no longer approved. The extension of one’s lifespan is not guaranteed due to the absence of scientific evidence.
