Male Pattern Baldness and Risk of Colorectal Neoplasia

January 2016 in “ British Journal of Cancer ”

Na Na Keum, Yin Cao, Dong Hoon Lee, Sang Min Park, Bernard Rosner, Charles S. Fuchs, Kana Wu, Edward Giovannucci

male pattern baldness frontal-only baldness frontal-plus-mild-vertex baldness colorectal neoplasia colon cancer colorectal adenoma insulin pathway tubular adenomas androgenicity prostate cancer baldness adenoma insulin androgens

Studysummary This study found that certain male pattern baldness subtypes at age 45 are associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal neoplasia. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study conducted from 1992 to 2010 with 32,782 men for cancer analysis and 29,770 men for adenoma analysis found that male pattern baldness at age 45 was associated with an increased risk of colorectal neoplasia. Men with frontal-only baldness and frontal-plus-mild-vertex baldness had a 29% and 31% increased risk of colon cancer, respectively, compared to those with no baldness. Additionally, frontal-only baldness was associated with a significant increased risk of colorectal adenoma. The study suggests a potential link between the insulin pathway and tubular adenomas in this context, rather than excess androgenicity, which is thought to connect baldness with prostate cancer. The authors note limitations such as self-reported baldness and limited racial generalizability, and they call for further research to confirm their findings and explore the underlying mechanisms.

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This study found that environmental factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, and testosterone levels may significantly influence various forms of hair loss in male identical twins.

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This study found that older men with vertex balding had lower levels of IGFBP-3 and higher levels of IGF-1 in their plasma.

research Management of Androgenetic Alopecia

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This review discusses treatment options for androgenetic alopecia in men and women, highlighting minoxidil and finasteride, without presenting new clinical findings.

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This study found that men with rapidly progressive male pattern baldness had elevated serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels, suggesting that adrenal hyperactivity may contribute to alopecia in genetically susceptible young men.