Hair Loss at 20 Associated with Prostate Cancer Risk Later in Life

The document summarizes a study which found that men who start losing their hair at age 20 are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer later in life. The study compared 388 men with prostate cancer to 281 healthy men and discovered that those with early onset of hair loss had twice the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. However, the study did not find a correlation between the age of onset of prostate cancer and early hair loss, nor between the pattern of hair loss and the disease. The findings suggest that early hair loss could serve as an indicator for increased prostate cancer risk, which might help in selecting individuals for early screening and preventive treatment. The study also notes the involvement of androgenic hormones in both conditions and mentions that finasteride, a medication for hair loss, may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Further research is necessary to clarify the biological links and verify these results.