Does Testosterone Replacement Therapy Cause Prostate Cancer?

Evidence Cited In This Episode

1. Prostate Safety and the TRAVERSE Trial (Randomized Clinical Trial)

• Bhasin et al. Prostate Safety Events During Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: A Randomized Clinical Trial — JAMA Network Open (TRAVERSE).

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2813293

2. Prostate Tissue Effects of TRT

• Marks et al., Effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Prostate Tissue in Aging Men — JAMA 2006 (Demonstrates minimal change in prostate tissue androgen concentrations with TRT).

https://www.hormonebalance.org/images/documents/Marks%2006%20Testosterone%20and%20Prostate%20cancer%20JAMA.pdf

3. Prostate Risk and Monitoring During TRT (Review)

• Academic review of TRAVERSE and other randomized trials summarizing prostate safety outcomes and the importance of monitoring during TRT.

https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/109/8/1975/7675461

4. Harvard Health Commentary on TRT & Prostate Cancer Risk

• Harvard Health Publishing: Appropriate use of testosterone therapy does not appear to raise prostate cancer risk (comments on randomized evidence showing no increased risk over ~3 years).

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/appropriate-use-of-testosterone-therapy-does-not-appear-to-raise-prostate-cancer-risk