Among men, having HIV is associated with about a 25% lower risk of prostate cancer, according to a pooled analysis of studies from around the world, aidsmap reports.

Dianqin Sun, MD, of the National Cancer Center in Beijing, led the researchers who conducted the systematic review and meta-analysis. Their paper was published in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases.

The investigators reviewed 27 studies published between 1981 and 2013, mostly after 2000. The studies, which were published in 11 nations—most of them high income—included about 600,000 men with HIV. During the studies, 2,780 of the HIV-positive men were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

By pooling the results, the investigators found that having HIV was associated with a 24% lower risk of prostate cancer. After they adjusted the data to account for differences in age, race and CD4 count, the study authors found that this figure did not change significantly.

“Our study shows that people with HIV/AIDS have a lower incidence of prostate cancer compared with the general population,” the study authors concluded. “However, significant heterogeneity exists among the included studies. Further prospective studies with better designs are needed to elucidate the association between HIV infection and prostate cancer.”

To read the aidsmap article, click here.

To read the study abstract, click here.