Singapore: Scientists at Harvard Medical School in the US have published a research in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, elaborating that vasectomy before 38 years in men posed a high risk of developing prostate cancer.

Research involved 50,000 middle-aged men in the span of 40 to 75 years from 1986 to 2010. It was found that in men who had a vasectomy done earlier in life, the risk was 10 percent higher.

Professor Lorelei Mucci, of Harvard School of Public Health said that though the exact causes of this pattern was uncertain, it may be due to age and impact on the prostate.

He added that vasectomies lead to aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Professor Malcolm Mason, of Cancer Research UK stressed that the study was extremely important as it established a new link between vasectomies and prostate cancer.

He emphasized that though vasectomy would be an important aspect of birth control, this research must be considered before making an informed decision.