There is speculation about a relationship between prostatic cancer and industrial cancer-causing agents such as cadmium. No relationship has been shown between prostate cancer and smoking, use of alcohol, disease patterns, circumcision, weight, height, blood group, hair distribution, sexual activity or benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Is Vasectomy A Risk Factor? One in five men over 35 has a vasectomy. The recent publicity concerning a possible association between vasectomy and prostate cancer and the large number of men who have had vasectomies has caused the National Institutes of Health to convene a special panel of experts to review all information and to make recommendations to the American public. Participants at this meeting (held in March 1993) concluded that "all contraceptive methods carry risks as well as benefits. When making decisions about contraception, each individual or couple must be informed of, and weigh the various risks and benefits in light of their particular circumstances and the risks associated with pregnancy. Vasectomy is a highly effective method of family planning with low surgical risks.
"Because the results of research on the relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer are inconsistent, and the associations that have been found are weak, there is not sufficient basis for recommending a change in clinical and public health practice at this time. Therefore, the panel recommended the following:
• Providers should continue to offer vasectomy and perform the procedure.
• Vasectomy reversal is not warranted to prevent prostate cancer.
