Male cancer survivors may soon be given hormone replacement therapy to restore their
testosterone levels after treatment.
Scientists at the University of Sheffield are about to begin a trial which will
involve giving male cancer patients between the ages of 25 to 50 a gel which is
absorbed through the skin.
The testosterone replacement strategy will be compared against a placebo gel by
measuring the potential side effects of cancer treatment such as weight gain,
less energy and a low sex drive.
It is hoped that the results could be used to develop a treatment to help the
estimated 23,800 men in the UK who have low levels of testosterone following
cancer treatment.
Cancer Research UK's director of clinical research Kate Law said it is rare for
men to be diagnosed with cancer at a young age, but if so they are more likely
to survive.
"Many of these men will have long-term side effects as the result of their
treatment, so finding a way to ease these symptoms is potentially very
exciting, because it could really improve the quality of life for thousands of
men in the UK," she added.
© Adfero Ltd
Cancer treatment news : 30 June 2012
