Posted on 06/17/2005 7:34:27 AM PDT by hispanarepublicana
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The activity of male hormones, androgens, can give rise to acne during adolescence, but may also protect against coronary heart disease in adulthood, UK researchers report.
However, androgens also appear to be associated with an increased risk of dying from prostate cancer, the study in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests.
"Androgen level or androgen activity is implicated in several health outcomes, but its independent role remains controversial." Dr. Bruna Galobardes, from the University of Bristol, and colleagues note.
The investigators examined the association between history of acne in young men and cause-specific mortality in 11,232 men. When the subjects were students between 1948 and 1968, they participated in health checks, which included any history of acne.
Subsequently, close to 10,000 subjects were successfully traced through the National Health Service Registry.
Overall, 18 percent reported a history of acne. These men were 33 percent less likely to have died of coronary heart disease than men with no reported acne, the investigators found.
There was evidence, however, that the men with acne also had a 67 percent higher risk dying from prostate cancer.
Some previous studies have found that androgens may have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease. But the data are conflicting, with other studies finding an increased risk associated with higher levels of androgens, Galobardes' team notes.
Also, "The role of androgens on the prostate gland has not been elucidated, and whether they induce prostate cancer or facilitate the growth of existing lesions is not clear," the researchers add.
SOURCE: American Journal of Epidemiology, June 15, 2005
Well sweet, I should have a rock solid heart then. But boy oh boy did acne suck. Good news is that you can't tell at all that I had it 10 years ago.
Thank God for Acutane (for me at least). I wouldn't wish it on my enemy, but it sure cleared up my zits. Of course I still have to put lotion on my face everyday to keep it from feeling dry, but at least I'm retaining that "youthful" look!
Cool, I should live to be at least a hundred.
I've been fairly fortunate even through my teen years, but when I do get one today, boy does it hurt. I can't IMAGINE how painful it must be to have a faceful.
It's weird, but I don't remember any pain . . . well other than going home after a long day of school and realizing that I was walking around for 9 hours with 10 huge whiteheads across my face.
Yeah, I'm thinking acne is God's way of building character! And acutane was a miracle for me too.
susie
So... I'll not have the heart problems my Dad has had for one more reason. However, I may have prostate trouble down the road. Not sure how much of a trade off that is.
Wow....so they all end up dying from something?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.