New research suggests that oral drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED) don’t increase a man’s risk for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.
The term “biochemical recurrence” refers to the possibility that prostate cancer has come back after treatment. This occurs when a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test shows that PSA levels have increased. Elevated PSA levels are not always a sign of cancer, but they can warrant further testing.
==================================================
Study: ED drugs don’t increase risk for prostate cancer recurrence. (Click to tweet)
==================================================
Past research has raised concerns that ED medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors - Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis - increase the risk of recurrence. These drugs are usually the first-line therapy for ED.
To learn more, scientists from Europe and the United States examined medical data from the National Prostate Cancer Register of Sweden linked to the Prescribed Drug Register. They identified men who had been treated for localized prostate cancer (confined to the prostate gland) and looked at 5 years of follow-up data.
Two hundred ninety-three men had biochemical recurrence after treatment with radical prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate gland) and radiation therapy. The researchers then gathered information from 5,767 men who did not have biochemical recurrence and compared the two groups.
PDE5 inhibitors were used by 51% of the men who experienced biochemical recurrence. Among men who didn’t have a recurrence, 58% used these medications.
They research team found that using PDE5 inhibitors was not associated with biochemical recurrence for either type of treatment. Even after accounting for factors like marital status, education, income, PSA levels, and stage of cancer, there was still no connection.
The authors concluded that doctors do not need to change their approach to treating ED after prostate cancer treatment.
The study was published online in December in the journal European Urology.
Print this article or view it as a PDF file here: Study: ED Drugs Don’t Increase Risk for Prostate Cancer Recurrence
Resources
European Urology
Loeb, Stacy, et al.
“Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Use and Disease Recurrence After Prostate Cancer Treatment”
(Abstract. Published online: December 30, 2015)
http://www.europeanurology.com/article/S0302-2838(15)01221-X/abstract/phosphodiesterase-type-5-inhibitor-use-and-disease-recurrence-after-prostate-cancer-treatment
National Cancer Institute
“Biochemical Recurrence”
http://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms?cdrid=543628
“Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test”
(Reviewed: July 24, 2012)
http://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/psa-fact-sheet#q1
Renal and Urology News
Charnow, Jody A.
“Erectile Dysfunction Drugs Do Not Affect Prostate Cancer Relapse Risk”
(January 5, 2016)
http://www.renalandurologynews.com/prostate-cancer/erectile-dysfunction-drugs-do-not-affect-prostate-cancer-relapse-risk/article/462750/
Reuters Health via Journal of Clinical Pathways
Boggs, Will, MD
“Erectile dysfunction meds don't boost prostate cancer recurrence”
(January 13, 2016)
http://www.journalofclinicalpathways.com/erectile-dysfunction-meds-dont-boost-prostate-cancer-recurrence
You may also be interested in...
Other Popular Articles
What Is Jelqing, and Does It Actually Work?
The term “jelqing” refers to a set of penis stretching exercises that some believe can make the penis bigger. Although the practice has gained attention and popularity in blogs and internet forums in recent years, there is no scientific evidence that it is an effective way to permanently increase the size of one’s penis. In fact, in some cases, jelqing may actually cause damage to the penis, so it is a good idea to get all the facts before setting off to try it.
What Is Sensate Focus and How Does It Work?
Sensate focus is a technique used to improve intimacy and communication between partners around sex, reduce sexual performance anxiety, and shift away from ingrained, goal-oriented sexual patterns that may not be serving a couple.
What Is the Average Penis Size?
If you have ever wondered how your penis compares to others in terms of size, you are not alone. Many men are curious to know how their penises stack up compared to the average. Unfortunately, general curiosity can sometimes give way to full-on obsession and anxiety about penis size. This can be an unhealthy and often unnecessary fixation, especially because most men who think their penises are too small have perfectly normal-sized penises.
What Is Edging and Why Do People Do It?
Edging is the practice of stopping sexual stimulation before reaching orgasm to prolong a sexual experience. The term stems from the concept of approaching the metaphorical “edge” of orgasm but stopping before going over the edge.
Can Sex Reduce Menstrual Cramps?
The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and healthy living. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.
Having sex while you experience menstrual cramps is healthy and can provide significant benefits. While it might not be the first activity that comes to mind when your PMS or period cramping begins, many people enjoy sex to reduce menstrual cramps, experience increased pleasure and benefit from other advantages. Learn more about having sex while menstrual cramps are happening and how it can help your body.
The Sex-Positivity Movement: What it Means to Be Sex-Positive
You may have heard references to “being sex-positive” or “the sex-positivity movement” in popular culture. Various celebrities have brought attention to this movement by speaking out about their beliefs and personal experiences regarding sexuality, sexual health, body positivity, “slut-shaming,” and sexual assault.
