Testosterone Therapy & Prostate Cancer: Myths Debunked by the TRAVERSE Trial
💉 Testosterone & Prostate Cancer: What the TRAVERSE Study Just Proved
For years, there’s been a cloud of fear surrounding testosterone therapy:
“Won’t it cause prostate cancer?”
“Isn’t it dangerous for men over 50?”
“Shouldn’t we avoid it if there’s any family history of prostate issues?”
Until recently, much of that concern came from outdated data and small studies. But now, we have real answers—and they’re changing the conversation around hormone therapy in men.
🧬 The TRAVERSE Study: A Landmark Moment in Men’s Health
The TRAVERSE trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA Network Open, was the largest, longest, and most rigorous study ever done on testosterone therapy in men with low testosterone (aka hypogonadism).
Here’s what they did:
Followed 5,200+ men, aged 45–80, who had clinically low testosterone and increased cardiovascular risk.
Randomly assigned them to testosterone therapy or placebo.
Tracked them for two years, monitoring everything from heart events to prostate health.
🧪 What Did They Find About Prostate Cancer?
👉 No increased risk of prostate cancer in men on testosterone therapy.
👉 The rates of prostate cancer, high-grade tumors, urinary retention, and BPH treatment were virtually the same in both the testosterone and placebo groups.
👉 Specifically:
12 prostate cancer cases in the testosterone group (0.5%)
11 cases in the placebo group (0.4%)
No significant difference in severity or complications
Translation: testosterone therapy did not fuel prostate cancer risk—even in older men with other health concerns.
💬 Why This Matters
This study is a game-changer for men who’ve avoided testosterone therapy due to fear or misinformation.
For years, the medical community worried about a theoretical link between testosterone and prostate cancer, based on the idea that “more testosterone feeds cancer cells.” But that theory has never been proven—and TRAVERSE confirms what many functional medicine and hormone doctors have seen clinically:
It’s not high testosterone that’s dangerous—it’s imbalance, poor detox, and lack of monitoring.
When used responsibly and with proper testing, testosterone therapy can help restore energy, improve libido, reduce fat mass, and support mood and cognition—without increasing prostate risk.
📌 Bottom Line
If you’re a man dealing with symptoms of low testosterone, don’t let fear or outdated myths stop you from exploring your options.
The TRAVERSE study provides strong, science-backed reassurance that testosterone therapy—when guided by a qualified provider—is not linked to increased prostate cancer risk.
It’s time to make decisions based on data, not fear.
Want to know if testosterone therapy might be right for you? Let’s talk about testing, symptoms, and how to approach hormone health the right way.
