Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the U.S. with around 30,000 deaths every year. A recent study reveals increased levels of melatonin, one of the primary hormones produced at night may reduce chances of prostate cancer.
Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston in their latest study presented at a conference by American Association for Cancer Research say that melatonin, a byproduct of the circadian rhythm, lowers chances of prostate cancer.
"Our findings are in line with previous experimental studies and provide further support for the influence of the circadian rhythm in prostate carcinogenesis," said Sarah Markt, who led the study in an email to medical daily.
Melatonin is primarily produced in the dark, while the person is sleeping. Multiple studies have shown melatonin influences other hormones and biological processes that may increase chances of breast and prostate cancer.
According to the researchers, men with higher level of melatonin have 75 percent less chances of developing prostate cancer compared to men with low melatonin production.
"Sleep loss and other factors can influence the amount of melatonin secretion or block it altogether, and health problems associated with low melatonin, disrupted sleep, and/or disruption of the circadian rhythm are broad, including a potential risk factor for cancer," said Sarah C. Markt, who led the study, in a press release.
First morning urine samples of 928 Icelandic men were tested. 17.14 nanograms (median value) of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, the primary by product of the melatonin, was found to be present per milliliter of urine. 111 volunteers on the survey were diagnosed with prostate cancer with 24 at an advanced stage of the disease.
The researchers based their finding on the results of the urine tests alongside the sleeping patterns of the subjects of the study. One in every seven men among the participants reported falling asleep, one in every five men were found to be staying asleep and one in every three men said they have been taking sleeping medications.
The participants reported with higher percentage of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin to the median value were found to have 75 percent lesser chances of developing prostate cancer compared to the rest. However, according to the researchers, before making any public recommendation further interventions are required to confirm the same on a larger scale.
"Further prospective studies to investigate the interplay between sleep duration, sleep disturbance, and melatonin levels on risk for prostate cancer are needed," said Markt in a statement.
Physical exercises, primarily walking, also help in curbing chances of prostate cancer in men.
