Effective Treatment For Prostate Cancer Doubles the Risks of Alzheimer's Disease, Study Shows

Chemical Castration Risks
ADT for Prostate Cancer May Up Alzheimer's Ris

It seems that patients have to choose from two diseases. Men taking testosterone-blocking drugs to cure prostate cancer have nearly twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers' study.

The treatment called Androgen-deprivation therapy, or also known as chemical castration, decreases the level of testosterone production and other male hormones that can drive the growth of prostate cancer. However, except its benefits on male reproduction system, the treatment is linked with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, loss of muscle mass and doubles the risk of prostate cancer.

 Several medical specialists also claimed that it does not improve the survival rates for men with localized prostate cancer. Moreover, many patients complained about memory loss and thinking problems.

"We observed a statistically significant increased risk of Alzheimer's disease with increasing duration of ADT (androgen deprivation therapy)," said Dr. Kevin Need from the University of Pennsylvania. He and his co-researchers from Stanford University wrote the large study about the risk of Androgen-deprivation therapy.

To arrive at their conclusions, they examined more than 16,000 patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer between 1994 and 2013. After a series of analysis, findings revealed that nearly 2,400 patients received  anti-androgen therapy, and they had more than 80% percent risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death among American male adults. NBC News reported that 240,000 U.S. adults were diagnosed with the disease last year, and it kills about 30,000 a year.

Some of the treatments for prostate cancer include tumor surgery, radiation to destroy it, chemotherapy and taking radioactive beads to shrink the tumor. But Androgen-deprivation therapy is one of the oldest treatments for the disease.

The treatment has been used since the 1940s and it is given to more than 500,000 American male adults every year. The cure includes drugs such as flutamide and enzalutamide, which act against testosterone, and drugs called LHRH agonists that stop production of testosterone by interfering with other hormones.

As per Wall Street Journal report says, authors of the study noted that while the findings show that anti-androgen therapy is linked to Alzheimer's disease, testosterone has been shown to aid the growth of brain cells and control the rate of B-amyloid protein, a protein mostly found in neurons of Alzheimer's patients.

To know more about the latest findings, read the recent edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that there were as many as 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease in 2013. Moreover, the number of Americans with the disease doubles every 5 years. By 2050, the number of Alzheimer's patients will rise to 14 million, a nearly three-fold increase.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.