Prostate Cancer Survivors: A New Battle
Reported February 25, 2010
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — Many men who survive cancer have another struggle after treatment ends. New research shows that male cancer survivors who develop testosterone deficiency after treatment may have an impaired quality of life and decreased energy levels.
Testosterone deficiency is a side effect of radiation therapy and chemotherapy that affects about 15 percent of male cancer survivors. A study compared the quality of life, self-esteem, fatigue and sexual function of 176 young male cancer survivors with that of 213 young men who never had cancer.
The cancer survivors reported a significant impairment in quality of life, as well as reduced energy levels and quality of sexual function. However, the men did not appear to suffer from psychological or low self-esteem due to these issues.
The study suggests some male cancer survivors who experience lowered levels of testosterone may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.
“This is an important study demonstrating that low testosterone levels are common in male cancer survivors and associated with an impaired quality of life,” Professor Richard Ross, M.D., of the University of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England, was quoted as saying. “However, the relationship between testosterone levels and quality of life is complex and appears to depend on a threshold level rather than a direct correlation. We now need interventional trials with testosterone to determine which young male cancer survivors will benefit from replacement therapy.”
Source: Cancer, published online February 22, 2010