In a compelling public health advisory, Dr. Uche Nwokwu, National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme at Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has highlighted emerging evidence suggesting that frequent ejaculation may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.
Speaking in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Nwokwu addressed viral claims circulating on social media that men should aim for 21 ejaculations per month to lower their cancer risk. While cautioning against oversimplification, he confirmed that global studies—particularly a 2016 publication in the Journal of the American Medical Association—found that men who ejaculated 21 or more times monthly had a 20% lower risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those with lower frequencies.
“Ejaculation is only one piece of a bigger picture,” Dr. Nwokwu stated. “Other factors such as age, race, family history, diet, and obesity must also be considered. But lifestyle choices do matter.”
Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among Nigerian men, accounting for 14% of the national cancer burden. In 2022 alone, Nigeria recorded over 18,000 new cases and more than 11,000 deaths from the disease. Late diagnosis, limited screening, and low public awareness continue to drive poor outcomes.
Dr. Nwokwu emphasized that while no local studies have yet been conducted in Nigeria, global data consistently show that Black men—including Nigerians—face higher risks and more aggressive forms of prostate cancer than their Caucasian counterparts.