Fathers are at increased risk of prostate cancer: study

London, Jan 7 (UNI) Having children puts men at a greater risk of developing prostate cancer, according to a study.

Analysis of the health records of more than a million men in Denmark indicates that fathers are 16 per cent more likely to develop the disease than childless men.

Researchers admit they are baffled - but believe something in the lifestyle of childless men protects them from prostate cancer.

Surprisingly, the same study found that having a large family appears to reduce the risk.

Fathers with six or more children were 43 per cent less likely to get prostate cancer later in life, than those with just one or two.

''This might reflect the fact that men who are able to have lots of children have healthier prostates,'' the Daily Mail quoted Dr Morten Frisch, who took part in the study.

UNI XC ARB DS1142