Vasectomy is an effective and long-lasting method of contraception. It is also considered safer than its equivalent in women, the ligature (“tying”) of the fallopian tubes. Since the late 1980s, there has been fierce debate for and against vasectomy as a method of preventing pregnancy in Nevertheless, it is estimated that 33 million married women rely on their husbands’ vasectomy for contraception. has long been suspected to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, although many studies have been conducted over the years to support this theory enough objective data to affirmatively support either side of the argument NEWS_MORE_BOX That’s why a team of scientists recently decided it was time to settle the question once and for all using the information accumulated over the last 30 years. The largest meta-analysis on the subject to date has been conducted, pooling data from over 3 million vasectomy patients who participated in 53 studies to date. The results are unequivocal – there is no proven connection between vasectomy and high-stage, advanced, or fatal cancer. A non-significantly low association was found with the registration of prostate cancer, but not with a highly malignant one. It is believed that this relationship is not due to an effect of the vasectomy, but rather to the fact that those men who have seen a urologist once for the procedure are more likely to go for regular check-ups, which also increases the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis . The researchers hope the results will lead to a preference for vasectomy over the more dangerous tubal ligation when couples seek long-term contraception.