Researchers at the University of Nottingham conducted a study to find out whether sexually more active younger men were prone to prostate cancer later in life. The findings revealed that men who in their 20s and 30s are more active sexually run greater risk of prostate cancer.

The study reiterated the fact that since male hormone testosterone is the likely cause of prostate cancer, men with high testosterone levels - having higher sex drive - are more often than not at a higher risk of the cancer.

On analyzing the sexual habits of 400 men who were diagnosed of prostate cancer before 60 years, and almost the same number of men free of the disease, the study found that most of those suffering from the cancer had indulged in sexual activity or masturbation more than 20 times a month during their 20s and 30s.

The study - which also questioned men about their frequency of sexual activity puberty onwards, number of sexual partners, and earlier diagnosis of sexual infections, if any - interestingly found that for men in their 50s, masturbation protected against the cancer because it helps in getting rid of toxins built up over the years.

Lead researcher, Dr Polyxeni Dimitropoulou, and the Nottingham team, admitted that there was "no good explanation of why masturbation should have a greater impact on prostate cancer, either by increasing or reducing the risk, than sexual intercourse."