Prostate cancer treatment could DOUBLE risk of dementia

Prostate cancer treatment associated with increased Alzheimer's risk

THE common treatment for prostate cancer has been linked to an increased risk in developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to the latest research.

 



Hormone therapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer



The hormone therapy treatment is commonly used for patients suffering from prostate cancer.

Known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) it is designed to lower levels of testosterone, the hormone that fuels some types of prostate cancer.

A research team based at the University of Pennsylvania looked at medical records from 16,888 men with the disease. 

 

Researchers then looked at records just over two years later and found that out of the 2,400 who had been treated with hormone therapy, 125 had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists discovered that those who underwent ADT were 88 per cent MORE likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who didn’t receive the hormone therapy.

The study also found a link between the length of treatment and a greater risk of developing the degenerative disease. 

 



Scientists looked at data from 16,888 men with prostate cancer



These findings were consistent, even after scientists removed contributing factors including smoking, race, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, prior cancers and other lifestyle choices.

Lead author, Dr. Kevin T. Nead, a resident physician in radiation oncology at the University of Pennsylvania said: “It would not be appropriate to change the way we treat patients now.”

“Androgen treatment is life-extending treatment, and very important. We found an association, but there is no evidence that hormone therapy causes Alzheimer’s.”

 

Researchers say there isn't a direct link, but the study supports previous evidence

While the study doesn’t prove that hormone treatment caused Alzheimer’s disease, it has highlighted the need for further research.

It also supports the suggestion that low testosterone levels leave the brain less able to combat the process that leads to the development of Alzheimer’s.

The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.