Is Androstene Linked To Cancer?

Aug. 31, 2000

At least three young men in Utah develop testicular cancer after using a popular herbal product.

The herbal product is called Androstene. And some want to get it off the market.

Science Specialist Ed Yeates has been investigating a connection between the product and several cases of cancer among young men in Northern Utah who used it.

Androstenediol is sold as a body-building food supplement. Inside the body, it's synthesized as testosterone and estrogen.

Retailers claim it's NOT like taking a steroid. Pharmacologists say it is!

Michael Hadley and Dustin Kelso both have testicular cancer and both were using Andtrostene-diol to build body mass while at Roy High School. Dustin graduated last year. Michael is a senior this year and is on the football team.

A third teenager who also used the product is going in for exploratory surgery Saturday. He too has a tumor.

And there may be a fourth student now with the same history.

RANDY KELSO, DUSTIN'S FATHER: "IT PUTS A BIG FLAG UP TO US IF THREE OR FOUR YOUNG MEN HAVE USED THIS AND ALL THREE OR FOUR WITHIN FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS OF THE USE HAVE COME UP WITH THIS CANCER - SOMETHING'S WRONG."

Michael's testicular cancer has been in remission for the past year. At the time, it had already spread into his chest.

DON HADLEY, MICHAEL'S FATHER: "IN MY HEART I BELIEVE THERE IS A 100 PERCENT CHANCE THAT THIS IS WHAT CAUSED IT. HE WAS A NORMAL, HEALTHY BOY. THE ONLY THING HE DID OUT OF THE NORMAL WAS TO TAKE THIS PRODUCT."

Researchers say there's NO scientific evidence linking Androstene-diol to testicular cancer. But some physicians agree these cases appear highly suspicious.

Dustin believes the connection is more than a coincidence.

DUSTIN KELSO, CANCER PATIENT: "I TOOK THE SUPPLEMENT FOR SIX MONTHS AND I WAS OFF OF THEM FOR ONE MONTH AND I JUST NOTICED IT RIGHT AFTER. I DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING BEFORE."

University of Utah pharmacology expert Dr. Doug Rollins says while the testicular cancers may have nothing to do with the use of Andrestenediol - it's still NOT a safe product.

DOUG ROLLINS, Phd, M.D. / U OF U PHARMACOLOGY/TOXICOLOGY: "WHEN THE BODY IS DEVELOPING, THAT IS THE TIME FOR SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS. I WOULD THINK IT IS A SEVERE RISK OF SERIOUS LONG-TERM EFFECTS - PARTICULARLY IN YOUNG ATHLETES."

MICHAEL HADLEY, CANCER PATIENT: "I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO GO THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH. IT'S NOT WORTH IT. IT'S JUST A WASTE OF TIME. DIDN'T EVEN MAKE ME BULK UP REALLY."

"I JUST THINK IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY AND A STUPID PRODUCT IF YOU ASK ME."

A lot of high school athletes are taking this supplement.

Some say there's a great deal of pressure to quickly bulk up and body-build in order to compete in sports like football and wrestling.

More Information

According to the FDA: "Compared with prostate cancer, testicular cancer is relatively rare. However, in men aged 15 to 34, it ranks as the most common cancer. For unknown reasons, the disease is about four times more common in white men than in black men."