Masturbation has long been regarded as the mother of all vices. But now a study that could definitively wring the neck of this myth. Frequent solitary practices would prevent prostate cancer, responsible for 10 000 deaths each year.
“You will become deaf”, “gonna make you idiot!” … Such threats have long contributed to the bad reputation of masturbation. But while the harmless onanism is shown, that a new scientific study gives it the same beneficial effects. Practiced frequently, it could prevent the most common cancer in men.
Games of hands …
ProstateLa prostate is involved in sperm production (production of seminal fluid, mixed with the sperm) before it passes into the urethra during ejaculation. In addition to its role in reproduction, this small gland is the subject of much attention since they are responsible for more than 40 000 new cancers and 10 000 deaths each year. Faced with this situation, various scientists were interested in relations between the disease and sexual behavior. The most recent study is the most amazing!
Between 1994 and 1998, a team of researchers from the Center for Cancer Epidemiology Melbourne (Australia) 1 requested 1 079 men with prostate cancer diagnosed before age 70 to complete a questionnaire on their sexual habits. Their responses were then compared to 1 259 healthy men of similar age.
The team concludes that more men éjaculent between 20 and 40, the less they are likely to develop prostate cancer. And prevention does not increase the number of years, since the protective effect most visibly with young men. Men who éjaculent more than five times per week during the twenty years of one-third would reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer during their lifetime!
Prefer solitary to drafts?
But these results may thus undermining some certainties. In this study, no association with the number of sexual partners has been highlighted. However, several studies had reported such an influence. In June 2001, a study américaine2 even updated a directly proportional relationship. The greatest seducers more than 30 partners) were more often affected by aggressive forms of cancer. The authors then discussed the possible responsibility of one or more sexually transmitted infections. The increase in cancer cases among patients who reported a history of gonorrhea or syphilis accredited this track. To learn more about this study, read our article “incorrigible seducer, attention to your prostate.”
In the weekly New scientific Scientist3, the Australian authors believe their results are not inconsistent with the infectious case, quite the contrary. The difference between the two studies based on sexual activity taken into account. The American investigation retains the amount of sex, while Australian researchers are taking into account the number of ejaculations, with or without a partner. Solo sex does not include the same as risk of infection, as confirmed by one of the authors Graham Giles: “If we had isolated the ejaculations associated with sexual intercourse, we would have found a protective effect even more important” .
Prevention at hand
What assumptions can certify the power protection practices lonely? According to the authors, this would limit the accumulation of seminal fluid. Certain compounds of the fluid component of semen (potassium, zinc, fructose, citric acid and 3-methylcholanthrene for smokers) may have carcinogenic properties in case of stagnation in the channels of the prostate. This assumption is based reasoning as well as a fairly simple, the flow in these “pipes” is important, unless the substances they contain can get hooked and damage the cells that constitute it. Alternatively, ejaculation might induce a more complete maturation of the prostate cells, making them less likely to become cancerous. But for the moment, it is not just a mere speculation.
And if tomorrow, a good diet and exercise were not the only advice dietary guidelines provided by your doctor? Do not worry gentlemen, before your doctor encourages you masturbate regularly, the results of this study should be confirmed.