Does Circumcision Lower the Risk of Prostate Cancer? Here’s What the Research Says
Male circumcision might offer some protection against prostate cancer, researchers suggest.
“Previous reports on associations between male circumcision and prostate cancer have not been in agreement,” Dr. Noel Pabalan from Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City, the Philippines, told Reuters Health by email. “We sought to resolve discrepant results from primary studies by applying meta-analysis to statistically determine this association, so that a more precise estimate is obtained.”
The Study: A Meta-Analysis of 8,000+ Men
The study, online July 28 in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Disease, included seven case-control studies involving 8,633 men that tested the association between prostate cancer and circumcision. The studies were conducted in the U.S., Canada and England.
All but two studies reported a reduced risk of prostate cancer in circumcised men, although the difference was statistically significant in only three.
Overall, there was a small (12%) nonsignificant reduced risk of prostate cancer in circumcised men. But nonsignificance and heterogeneity were “erased” when the overall effect was subjected to outlier treatment and three studies omitted (odds ratio, 0.90; p=0.04), they report.
“This was also statistically significant up to 17% in our post-PSA tested subgroup, among men over 40 years of age and among blacks,” Dr. Pabalan told Reuters Health.
“Stability of the reduced risks observed in key subgroups suggests that the protective feature of circumcision status against PCa is best seen in the context of the post-PSA testing and population-based studies as well as in the black race subgroup,” he and his colleagues note in their paper.
The fact that all studies included in the analysis were retrospective is a limitation, they point out. “We found no report of a prospective cohort study,” they say. “A further limitation is that in all these studies circumcision was based on self-report rather than medical examinations and therefore misclassification of exposure could occur.”
Despite these limitations, this is the first meta-analysis that addresses the association of circumcision status with the occurrence of prostate cancer, the authors write.
If the lower risk of prostate cancer with circumcision is mediated by a reduced risk of sexually transmitted infections and infection/inflammation in the prostate, “then the timing of circumcision is important and needs to precede sexual activity,” they say.
Key Findings
- Five of the seven studies showed a reduced risk of prostate cancer in circumcised men
- Three of those reached statistical significance
- The overall risk reduction across all studies was about 12%, though initially not statistically significant
- When the analysis removed outlier studies, the risk reduction improved to 17% and became statistically significant (odds ratio: 0.90; p = 0.04)
The protective effect appeared strongest in:
- Men over 40
- Black men
- Men in the post-PSA testing era (after widespread use of prostate-specific antigen tests)
What Might Explain the Link?
The authors suggest that circumcision may reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can lead to chronic inflammation in the prostate . A factor believed to contribute to cancer development.
If that’s the case, timing matters. Circumcision would need to occur before the start of sexual activity in order to offer protective effects.
Important Limitations
Like most early-stage findings, the study has its caveats:
- All studies included were retrospective
- Circumcision status was self-reported, not confirmed by medical records
- No prospective cohort studies were available for inclusion
- The observed effects, while statistically significant in some subgroups, were still modest overall
In short: it’s not definitive proof — but it’s a compelling starting point for future research.
What This Means for Men’s Health
This is the first meta-analysis to explore the potential relationship between circumcision and prostate cancer risk. It adds nuance to the conversation around cancer prevention in men and may pave the way for larger, more rigorous studies.
That said, circumcision alone isn’t a cancer prevention strategy. Men should continue to focus on:
- Regular prostate screenings (especially over age 50)
- A healthy diet and active lifestyle
- Managing inflammation and infection risk through safe sexual practices
References: Reuters Health & Healthy Living Magazine
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- Ashwagandha for Professional Footballers: Recovery, Focus and Messi’s Reported Routine
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External Sources:
- NIH: Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
- CDC on Circumcision and Health Benefits
- Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases Journal
Benjamin Spencer
Benjamin Spencer is the co-founder of Healthy Living Magazine. With a focus on health tech, fitness trends, and real-world longevity tools, he’s passionate about breaking down complex wellness ideas into practical, everyday habits that actually work.
