Uncovering the Complex Relationship Between Balding, Testosterone, and Skin Cancers in Men

October 2023 in “ Nature Communications ”

Jue‐Sheng Ong, Mathias Seviiri, Jean Claude Dusingize, Yeda Wu, Xikun Han, Jianxin Shi, Catherine M. Olsen, Rachel Ε. Neale, John F. Thompson, Robyn P.M. Saw, Kerwin F. Shannon, Graham J. Mann, Nicholas G. Martin, Sarah E. Medland, Scott D. Gordon, Richard A. Scolyer, Georgina V. Long, Mark M. Iles, Maria Teresa Landi, David C. Whiteman, Stuart MacGregor, Matthew H. Law

male-pattern baldness testosterone skin cancers Mendelian randomization cutaneous melanoma keratinocyte cancers genetic variations pigmentation pathways squamous cell carcinoma melanoma UV exposure MPB UV

TLDR Men with baldness are more prone to skin cancers on the scalp due to sun exposure, not testosterone.

This study investigates the relationship between male-pattern baldness (MPB), testosterone, and skin cancers in men using Mendelian randomization analyses. The research involved genetic data from meta-analyses of cutaneous melanoma (12,232 cases; 20,566 controls) and keratinocyte cancers (up to 17,512 cases; >100,000 controls). The findings indicate a strong association between MPB and the risk of keratinocyte cancers, but not with androgens. The relationship is confounded by MPB-related genetic variations in pigmentation pathways. Site-stratified analyses show strong links between MPB and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, suggesting that sun exposure on the scalp, rather than androgenic pathways, is the primary factor. This implies that men with less hair are more susceptible to melanoma, particularly in regions with high UV exposure.

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Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

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community I am a dermatologist with a clinical interest in alopecia. AMA

in Will treatment work for me? 3 years ago

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