Obesity is a significant risk factor in the development of cancer. Testosterone, a male sex hormone may influence prostate cancer if increased levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is found in blood.

‘Prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentration in blood is lower in obese men when compared to lean men because of the decreased testosterone levels.’

Elevated levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood can be an indicator of prostate cancer and lead to further diagnostic investigations," says Dr Aref.




PSA is increased by the male sex steroid hormone, testosterone. "We have shown for the first time that the concentration of PSA in the blood is lower in men with severe obesity (with a body mass index or BMI of 30 or higher) than in lean men, and that this can be attributed to lower concentrations of circulating testosterone".
"The results of this study have important implications for how we should interpret PSA levels in men who are obese," says project supervisor Professor Gary Wittert, Director of the Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health and the Adelaide Medical School at the University of Adelaide and SAHMRI.
"Obesity is a major risk factor in the development of cancer, as well as other diseases. More than 65% of men in Australia are overweight or obese and this level is predicted to increase.
"Further studies are now required to investigate effective strategies for applying this knowledge in clinical practice" says Professor Wittert.
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Source-Eurekalert