The possibility of developing prostate cancer is a reality thousands of men across Australia face. But did you know there’s a fun, free and sexy way you can significantly reduce your risk of developing the most common cancer that affects men?! It’s all about getting to shoot your load more regularly.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Cancer Australia:
- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men
- Approximately 3500 men die of prostate cancer in Australia every year
- There are an estimated 16,741 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2020
- Prostate cancer is estimated to account for 22% of all new male cancer diagnosed in 2020
About the prostate
If you didn’t already know, your prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut located below the bladder near the rectum. It’s unique to the male reproductive system and produces a lot of the fluid that makes up jizz – scientifically known as semen; the few millilitres of sticky liquid containing sperm that’s ejaculated during orgasm. More on the sexy side of your prostate in How well do you know your prostate?
Image credit: Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the prostate and continue to multiply in an uncontrolled way, sometimes spreading to other parts of the body.
Early stages of prostate cancer might not show any symptoms. In later stages, some symptoms might include:
- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
If you experience any of these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have prostate cancer, but it’s best to book an appointment with your GP for a check up to be sure, especially if you’re over 40.
Reducing your risk
Up until recently, only general advice of stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy diet and taking regular exercise were suggested as possible ways to reduce your risk of prostate cancer. However, a study published recently provides new evidence for another option that might help: cumming more often!
In the study carried out by scientists at the Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women Hospital, they found that “ejaculation frequency may be inversely related to the risk of prostate cancer, a disease for which few modifiable risk factors have been identified.”
The study involved nearly 32,000 men whose average monthly ejaculation frequency was assessed at various points during their life. It found that men who said they climaxed 21 times or more each month were about 20 percent less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer compared to those who shot their load less than 10 times a month.
And what’s even better is that it didn’t matter how ejaculation was accomplished, whether it be by: the DIY five knuckle shuffle, copulation with one or more partners, or even the results of a horny wet dream (clinically referred to as “nocturnal emission”)!
Video courtesy of Science Nature Page on Facebook
Talking about these new findings, prostate cancer surgeon Dr. David Samadi from Lenox Hill Hospital, New York said “Prior research shows a link between the benefits of sex and prostate cancer. But this new study, with long term follow up, adds to the evidence that ejaculation frequency is the key factor in reducing prostate cancer risk.”
Dr. Samadi appears on Fox News to educate the public about the topic. In this interview, the show’s guests also propose further benefits of regular sex including:
- Improved self esteem
- Better sleep
- Decreased stress
International awareness and support
In 2003, two mates (Travis Garone and Luke Slattery) met up for a beer in Fitzroy, Melbourne and joked about bringing back a questionable facial hair fashion from years gone by: the moustache. By 2004 they’d rallied enough fellow Mo Bros to get on board with their idea, realising the potential to do some good and support prostate cancer as their cause. Raising $54,000, their contribution to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) was the largest single donation received by the organisation at that time.
More than a decade later and you might recognise their continued efforts to prevent men from dying too young as The Movember Foundation. Over five million participants in more than 20 countries have managed to raise over $770 million since the start, helping achieve recognition as the most innovative not-for-profit organisation in Australia for 2015.
The Movember Foundation website states the difference between early detection and late detection of prostate cancer can be life and death: “When detected early, prostate cancer survival rates are better than 98%. Find it late, and those survival rates drop below 26%.”
If you’re up for sharing the health benefits of sex with other guys then don’t forget to get on board with an HIV prevention strategy that works for you, as well as regular sexual health check ups. You never know when you might get the opportunity to reduce your own, as well as someone else’s risk of prostate cancer in a way that maximises everyone’s pleasure and safety! Choosing or combining strategies that involve PrEP, managing an undetectable viral load (UVL), or condoms has never been easier.