14 DAY TRIAL // In a new report in the British Journal of Cancer, researchers at Brown University in the US present evidence that muscle-building supplements make men more vulnerable to testicular cancer.
Thus, the specialists argue that, as shown by their investigations into the matter at hand, men who turn to either pills or all sorts of powders in an attempt to gain muscle mass are at a greater risk of developing said form of cancer.
The same study found that an individual's chances to be diagnosed with cancer of the gonads are higher, should they start consuming muscle-building supplements before the age of 25 and use such pills or powders for an extended period of time.
Besides, the Brown University scientists say that, according to evidence at hand, those who kick things up a notch and take more than just one type of supplements are also more vulnerable.
“The observed relationship was strong. If you used at earlier age, you had a higher risk. If you used them longer, you had a higher risk. If you used multiple types, you had a higher risk,” explained study leader Tongzhang Zheng.
This is yet to be confirmed, but the researchers suspect that their find could explain why the incidence of testicular cancer went from being one of 3.7 cases in 100,000 men in 1975 to being one of 5.9 cases per 100,000 men in 2011.
The sheer numbers
In their paper in the British Journal of Cancer, specialist Tongzhang Zheng and colleagues detail that, as part of their study, they interviewed almost 900 men, 356 of which were cancer patients at the beginning of the investigation.
The focus was on their use of muscle-building supplements. However, variables such as smoking and drinking behavior, as well as exercise routines, medical history and past injuries to the groin area were also taken into consideration.
The study revealed that, when compared to men who were not and had never been in the habit of using muscle-building supplements, those who did take such pills and powders were an astounding 65% more likely to develop cancer of the gonads.
This association was found to be even stronger in the case of men admitting to having used more than one type of supplements for an extended period of time and starting while at a young age, the Brown University detail.
It's important to note that this research project did not prove that muscle-building pills and powders undoubtedly cause cancer. Instead, it just proved a link between the use of such supplements and an increased cancer risk.
Scientist Tongzhang Zheng and fellow researchers recommend that further investigations be carried out and that this association that they identified be documented properly and in detail.