Men with very low testosterone may face a higher risk of dying from cancer, according to a large international analysis. The study found an 18% higher risk of cancer death in the lowest testosterone group, but it did not find a link to prostate cancer. The low testosterone and cancer risk question is easy to misread, so here is what the research actually shows.
Low Testosterone and Cancer Risk: The Key Findings
The analysis was published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity and comes from the Androgens in Men Study, an international collaboration led by Professor Bu Yeap at the University of Western Australia. It pooled individual participant data from more than 26,000 men across 11 long-running studies in Australia, the United States, and Europe.
Researchers looked at hormone levels measured in blood samples collected earlier in life and followed the men for decades to see who developed or died from cancer. The hormones studied included testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and luteinizing hormone.
- Cancer death: men in the lowest fifth of testosterone had an 18% higher risk of dying from cancer than men in the highest fifth, after adjusting for age and other health factors.
- The threshold: cancer risk began to rise when baseline testosterone fell below 8.6 nmol/L.
- Prostate cancer: testosterone levels were not associated with prostate cancer risk.
What Is a Normal Testosterone Level?
The report notes that healthy younger men typically have testosterone of about 10 to 30 nmol/L, and levels generally decline with age. The 8.6 nmol/L figure sits below that typical range, which is why the authors describe the risk as appearing in men with very low levels rather than in men with ordinary age-related decline.
Does Testosterone Therapy Lower Cancer Risk?
This is the question many readers will ask, and the researchers are direct about it. “While we’ve shown low levels are associated with increased risk, we haven’t got any evidence yet that actually giving men testosterone will reduce that risk,” Yeap said. He also warned against taking supplements in an attempt to prevent cancer.
That caution matters. Low testosterone can be a marker of poor underlying health, such as obesity, chronic illness, or inflammation, and those factors may themselves raise cancer risk. The study shows an association. It does not show that low testosterone causes cancer or that raising it would help.
What About Prostate Cancer?
A long-standing worry is that testosterone fuels prostate cancer. In this analysis, natural testosterone levels were not linked to prostate cancer risk. Yeap said there is no evidence they are related. Interestingly, lower levels of SHBG and luteinizing hormone were associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer, a finding that deserves its own follow-up.
What Men Can Do Now
- Do not self-treat. Over-the-counter boosters and unsupervised hormone use are not supported by this research.
- See a doctor about symptoms. Persistent fatigue, low libido, or unexplained weight changes deserve a proper evaluation and, if appropriate, a blood test.
- Keep up with cancer screening recommended for your age and family history.
- Focus on basics that support both hormone health and cancer prevention, including regular exercise, a healthy weight, good sleep, and limiting alcohol and tobacco.
The Bottom Line
Very low testosterone may be a useful warning sign worth discussing with a clinician, not a reason to panic or to buy supplements. The study is observational, so it points to a pattern rather than a cure. For more health reading, see our explainer on statin decisions and calcium-scan testing and our look at sulforaphane research. The release is on ScienceDaily.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about hormone testing and treatment.
