The vas deferens is the tube which conveys the sperm from
the testes to the urethra during ejaculation of semen. Cutting the vas deferens
and vasectomized men will not be able to father children.
over time.
The possible reasons for this observation according to the
study authors are that
vasectomy removes
the potential protective effect of increased sperms in the semen as well as
having more offspring (fecundity) against prostate cancer.
Possible
Demerits of Study
- The study did not include prostate-specific
antigen screening (PSA) data of the participants or clinical
evaluation such as digital rectal
examination (DRE) findings which are important in evaluating prostate
cancer risk
- Previous studies
have concluded that vasectomy is a safe procedure and does not increase
prostate cancer risk
- The data of the current study are
therefore not sufficient to establish a definite causal relationship
between vasectomy and prostate cancer
Prostate
Cancer
Prostate cancer is malignancy of the prostate, a
small walnut-shaped gland in men that forms the seminal fluid that nourishes
the sperms and helps in their transport to the urethra.
Risk of prostate increases with age, obesity, family history
and is higher in black men. Screening tests for prostate cancer for early
diagnosis include estimation of serum PSA which will be elevated and needs
confirmatory tests to establish or rule out the diagnosis and determine the
stage and risk of spread.
Treatment of prostate cancer depends on its severity and
stage and includes surgery, radiation and hormone therapy as well as
chemotherapy and biological therapy.
The Danish study finds a
small overall risk of prostate cancer in vasectomized men compared to men who
are not vasectomized. However
due to
lack of sufficient data, a causal association between vasectomy and prostate
cancer cannot be definitely established.
References :- Vasectomy and prostate cancer risk: a 38-year nationwide cohort study - (https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djz099)
- Vasectomy Increases Prostate Cancer Risk Over Time - (https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/913655#vp_2)
Source: Medindia