High sex hormone levels may increase risk of prostate cancer, according to a new study published in the May 6, 2010 issue Urology.

The study led by Daniels N.A. and colleagues from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon found those who had their estrone levels in the higher three quartiles were nearly four times as likely to develop prostate cancer as those who had their estrone levels in the lowest quartile.

The association showed up when the researchers compared 275 cases of prostate cancer and 1652 healthy men for their sex hormone measurements. For the study, the subjects aged 65 and older were followed up for 4.7 years.

Nevertheless, other sex hormones like testosterone and estradiol were not associated with the risk.

David Liu