To Masturbate Or Not To Masturbate? Prostate Cancer Connection?

While the study is extremely interesting, it is important not to over-interpret the results.  The authors suggest that there is a connection between prostate cancer and masturbation.  But they do NOT prove that masturbation actually causes or protects against prostate cancer.  It is quite possible that the level of hormones in a given man may determine both his frequency of masturbation and his chance of getting prostate cancer.

"...
"Frequent masturbation during men's 20s and 30s increased their risk of prostate cancer," Dimitropoulou tells WebMD. "But men in their 50s who masturbated frequently had decreased risk."

Of course, masturbation frequency is relative.

For men in their 20s, "frequent masturbation" was two to seven times per week. Compared to same-age men who reported masturbating less than once per month, 20-something frequent masturbators had a 79% higher risk of prostate cancer by age 60.

For men in their 50s, "frequent masturbation" was one or more times per week. Compared to same-age men who reported never masturbating, 50-something frequent masturbators had a 70% lower risk of prostate cancer...."

"...Meanwhile, Dimitropoulou, now at England's University of Cambridge, advises moderation for both younger and older men.

"It is kind of logical that a moderate level of masturbatory activity has to be maintained," she says. "Not too much, and not none at all.""
http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20090127/masturbation-and-prostate-cancer-risk

Sexual activity and prostate cancer risk in men diagnosed at a younger age.
Dimitropoulou P, Lophatananon A, Easton D, Pocock R, Dearnaley DP, Guy M, Edwards S, O'Brien L, Hall A, Wilkinson R, Eeles R, Muir KR; UK Genetic Prostate Cancer Study Collaborators; British Association of Urological Surgeons Section of Oncology.

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine, in a case-control study, the association between the frequency of sexual activity (intercourse, masturbation, overall) and prostate cancer risk in younger men diagnosed at < or = 60 years old.

PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In all, 431 prostate cancer cases and 409 controls participated and provided information on their sexual activity. In particular, the frequencies of intercourse and masturbation during the participants' different age decades (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s) were collected.

RESULTS: Whereas frequent overall sexual activity in younger life (20s) increased the disease risk, it appeared to be protective against the disease when older (50s). Alone, frequent masturbation activity was a marker for increased risk in the 20s and 30s but appeared to be associated with a decreased risk in the 50s, while intercourse activity alone was not associated with the disease.

CONCLUSION: These findings could imply different mechanisms by which sexual activity is involved in the aetiology of prostate cancer at different ages. Alternatively, there is a possibility of reverse causation in explaining part of the protective effect seen for men in their 50s