Study Shows Low Testosterone Levels May Affect Cancer Survivors

The overall quality of life may be compromised for male cancer survivors, according to a recent study. One group of researchers is hoping to complete additional testing to see if hormone replacement therapy could help former cancer patients.

The study found that male cancer survivors struggling with a testosterone deficiency due to chemotherapy or radiation have lower energy levels, decreased sexual function, and a lower quality of life.

Interestingly enough, the young survivors seem to cope well with the issues. Most did not appear to suffer psychologically or have a low self-esteem, nor did it impair their sexual relationships. This evidence leads scientists to suggest the idea that having survived cancer may have impacted the relationship more powerfully than the lack of sexual performance.

Richard J.M. Ross, MD, and his colleagues have determined that impairment of energy, sexual functions, and quality of life are even worse in cancer survivors with hypogonadism, or low testosterone levels. They suggest future studies being done to see if hormone replacement can help the men in these situations.

His study involved comparing 176 cancer survivors to 213 young men that had never had cancer. All of the participants were between 25 and 45 years old and the cancer survivors had been treated for non hormone-dependent cancers. The survivors had also undergone chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy as part of their cancer treatment. All participants had their testosterone levels measured and each completed three quality of life questionnaires: the Short-Form Health Survey, Aging Male Scale, and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, as well as measures to test their self-esteem, fatigue levels and sexual functions.

Findings indicated that compared to those without cancer, the cancer survivors reported impaired quality of life and more fatigue in most portions of the surveys. Also, the cancer survivors with the lowest testosterone levels reported a worse quality of life and lower self-esteem, fatigue, and sexual function than those with higher levels of testosterone present in their bloodstream. The researchers also found that when testosterone levels were higher, the scores from the Physical Component Summary, or PCS from the Short-Form Health Survey, were also higher.

The study, which was funded by the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity along with help from the Laura Crane Trust, indicates hormone replacement therapy may help increase the quality of life for male cancer survivors, especially those that are suffering from hypogonadism. Additional research may soon follow.