Y CHROMOSOME LINKED TO CANCER AND DEATH RISK IN MEN (STA BREAKING NEWS and ARCHIVES)

by STANews , Wednesday, October 22, 2014, 07:47

The study looked at blood tests in more than 1,000 men aged over 70 for Y chromosome loss

The male Y chromosome may have a role in prolonging men's lives and fighting cancer, scientists have said.

Research into 1,153 elderly men at the University of Sweden found those who had lost part of their Y chromosome died on average 5.5 years earlier than those who had not.

Women live on average 7.5 years longer than men in Europe and the reasons behind this are not fully known.

Cancer Research said the study was "intriguing".

Scientists assessed how many blood cells had age-related loss of the Y chromosome (LOY) through blood tests in the men, aged between 70 and 84.

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http://www.bbc.com/news/health-29703455