Masturbate more to lower your risk of cancer, urges new health campaign

FCancer, a nonprofit focused on cancer prevention and early detection, has launched a campaign encouraging men to ejaculate more frequently as a potential way to lower prostate cancer risk.

Research led by Dr. Lorelei Mucci, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, suggests that men who ejaculate 21 or more times per month may have a 19-22% lower risk of prostate cancer compared with those who ejaculate less. The findings come from a long-term study tracking over 50,000 men since 1986.

Mucci emphasized that 21 times is not a strict threshold but a statistical benchmark. Even men who ejaculated eight times per month showed modest reductions in risk. “The broader implication is that more frequent ejaculation may offer a greater potential benefit,” she said.

Illustration of two hands peeling a banana, above text promoting masturbation for prostate cancer prevention. — Ejaculating at least 21 times in a month may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by up to 22%. “Honestly, I don’t care if you’re playing solo or going for an assist, what matters is men knowing that something they likely already do could actually benefit their health,” FCancer’s Yael Cohen told The Post. BeatCancerOff.com

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in U.S. men, after skin cancer, with roughly 1 in 8 men diagnosed in their lifetime. It is also the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in men, behind lung cancer.

While the exact biological mechanisms are still under study, researchers speculate that frequent ejaculation may help clear potential carcinogens, reduce inflammation in the prostate, or influence gene expression in prostate tissue.

Illustration of a "Mash The Potatoes" prostate cancer awareness poster featuring hands mashing potatoes, linking ejaculation to reduced cancer risk. — FCancer’s new campaign is encouraging men to “beat cancer off, literally.” BeatCancerOff.com

FCancer co-founder Yael Cohen said the campaign uses humor to engage men but ultimately aims to encourage education, screenings, and conversations with doctors. “Your hands don’t replace your doctor; they get you to them,” she said.

Mucci noted that the research focuses on ejaculation frequency regardless of the method, and campaigns like this may help promote earlier prostate cancer screenings. “It turns robust scientific findings into a conversation men can actually have,” she said, adding that awareness and timely medical guidance are critical.

A close-up of a person dispensing liquid soap from a black bottle into their palm. — It’s about making sure you’re getting the appropriate screening, understanding your risk factors and actually talking to your physician,” Cohen said. diy13 – stock.adobe.com

Cohen summarized the approach: “At the end of the day, it’s about taking control of your health in both fun and serious ways—starting with your habits and following through with proper medical care.”

Original Source