TLDR Baldness at age 40 is not linked to a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
The study conducted by Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, involving 938 prostate cancer patients and 2160 controls, found that androgenic alopecia (AA) at age 40 was inversely related to the risk of non-aggressive prostate cancer (PC), with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.81. However, no significant association was found between AA and aggressive PC, with the strongest non-significant association being an OR of 1.31 for 'vertex' baldness at ages 20 and 40. The study concluded that AA is not a useful indicator for identifying men at high risk of PC, and baldness patterns should not influence the decision to test for PC. Results were adjusted for age and family history.
111 citations,
October 2008 in “Nature Genetics” Researchers found a new gene area linked to male-pattern baldness, which, along with another gene, significantly increases the risk of hair loss in men.
57 citations,
February 2007 in “International Journal of Cancer” A49T gene variant linked to higher prostate cancer risk, lower hormone levels, and slightly reduced balding risk.
76 citations,
April 2005 in “Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention” E211 G>A gene linked to lower risk of severe prostate cancer and hair loss.
179 citations,
September 1998 in “BMJ” Hair loss in men is common, treatable, but not curable.
416 citations,
September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.
February 2012 in “Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism” The document suggests more research is needed to understand the link between baldness and prostate cancer.
30 citations,
January 2008 in “The Aging Male” The study found no link between baldness patterns and androgen levels in men with benign prostate enlargement or prostate cancer.
January 2021 in “HAMDAN MEDICAL JOURNAL” Finasteride treats hair loss and reduces prostate cancer risk.
28 citations,
September 2014 in “Journal of Clinical Oncology” Men with baldness at the front and top of their head at age 45 may have a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
57 citations,
February 2007 in “International Journal of Cancer” A49T gene variant linked to higher prostate cancer risk, lower hormone levels, and slightly reduced balding risk.
