The surprising health benefit of being bald

Key Points:

• Approximately 25% of men experience male pattern baldness by age 30, increasing to two-thirds by age 35, with notable public figures embracing baldness confidently.
• A study found men who begin balding by age 30 have a 29% reduced risk of developing prostate cancer, with those balding even earlier showing a 45% reduced risk for both aggressive and less-aggressive forms.
• Researchers suspect a genetic variant in the male hormone receptor gene may link early hair loss and reduced prostate cancer risk, as both conditions relate to androgen hormones like dihydrotestosterone and testosterone.
• Contrastingly, a 2016 study indicated early male pattern baldness might correlate with a higher risk of fatal prostate cancer, highlighting ongoing debate and complexity in the relationship between hair loss and cancer risk.
• Prostate cancer screening is generally recommended between ages 55 and 69, or from age 40 for high-risk men, as early-stage prostate cancer often shows no symptoms but can cause urinary issues and, if spread, bone pain and neurological problems.