Male Pattern Baldness in Relation to Prostate Cancer-Specific Mortality: A Prospective Analysis in the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study

The study analyzed data from 4,316 men over a median follow-up period of 21 years and found that male pattern baldness was associated with a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality. Any degree of baldness was linked to a 56% higher risk, while moderate baldness was associated with an 83% higher risk of fatal prostate cancer. The study did not find a significant link between baldness and all-cause mortality. These results suggest a potential shared pathophysiology between male pattern baldness and prostate cancer, but baldness should not be used as a criterion for prostate cancer screening. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and assess any additional predictive value.