Vasectomy and prostate cancer risk in China.
Vasectomy has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in western countries. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 12 cities in China to evaluate the relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer risk in China, a low-risk country with rising incidence and increasing use of vasectomy. Interviews were conducted with 138 histologically confirmed prostate cancer cases diagnosed during 1989-1992 and 638 controls (158 hospital cancer, 158 hospital noncancer, and 322 neighborhood controls) of similar ages. Vasectomy at least 10 years prior to interview was reported by 10% of the cases versus 3% of the controls. Odds ratios for prostate cancer associated with vasectomy were 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.7-6.1), 3.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.0-11.3), and 6.7 (95% confidence interval, 2.1-21.6), respectively, when hospital cancer, hospital noncancer, and neighborhood controls were used for comparison. Although detection bias is of concern, the data suggest that in China, men with a history of vasectomy may experience an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Hsing
A W
AW
Eidemiology and Biostatistics Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Wang
R T
RT
Gu
F L
FL
Lee
M
M
Wang
T
T
Leng
T J
TJ
Spitz
M
M
Blot
W J
WJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012306:Risk; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data