Reporting on Masturbation-Cancer Link Is Wrong

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I've posted follow-up reports on all this "news" about masturbation and prostate cancer here and here. The first link describes the latest research, and the second tasks eFluxMedia to task for referring to the 2003 study as "the latest study."

Ben Harder of DC 6:09PM April 24, 2008

Spanking the monkey is fun.

If it happens to have a health benefit(s). Great!!

So they are re-hashing old news, maybe some guy somewhere will hear it for the first time and save his life.

CR of OH 9:57AM April 24, 2008

Yes by actively trying to prevent prostate cancer I now suffer from Carpel tunnel.

jeff Ball of FL 9:09AM April 24, 2008

If this story goes on Hardball with Chris Mathews I will believe it.

If there is a chance it's true, men should take their health into their own hands and at least try and reduce the risk. Worst case, you have thirty seconds of enjoyment and stress reduction.

Hugh G. Rexion of FL 7:59AM April 24, 2008

So, what has changed since 2003 that makes this report "wrong" ? If you read the BBC article on http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3072021.stm you see that it was a serious study, with plausible arguments and conclusions. You don't have to "think harder" to conclude that masturbation is a lot healthier than promiscuity, whatever your "moral or journalistic" opinion, both of which seem irrelevant.

Alan 3:27AM April 24, 2008

shows Fox News is just rehashing old stuff without checking to see

if it's current. But like you say, the study from 2003 is what needs to

be 'studied' to see if it was done properly. A 1/3rd reduction of risk is

certainly significant.

jamesrav of CA 3:25AM April 24, 2008

You're right. Back in 2003, that would be masturbation in the 1990s, used to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, but now a days, what with PBAs and such it's probably no longer true.

rgp of CT 5:30PM April 23, 2008

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This blog is the public workshop of U.S. News writer and editor Ben Harder. In articles published in the magazine, he has covered a range of sciences, including medicine, human behavior, prehistory, and evolution. Here, he can explore those and other scientific fields more fully and more informally than is possible in print. He'll share whatever seems noteworthy or potentially useful, and he invites readers to do the same.

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On Feb. 24, 2008, Ben discussed the link between artificial light and cancer on WTOP radio. Listen to the interview at WTOP News. He again talked about light pollution on WTOP on March 22, exploring its environmental effects.

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