Finasteride and cancer

[Will01]

I am thinking about starting Fin and I'm willing to risk (if thats the right word) the sexual sides, but what really concerns me are any connections to causing cancer, in particular high grade cancer.


I've spoken to my GP here in the UK, but I feel he just simply doesn't know enough about the subject to really advise me.


Can any users comment on this subject and advice they been given?

[greatjob!]

Finasteride doesn't cause prostate cancer, but it can mask it allowing it to develop into high grade cancer.

Finasteride artificially lowers your PSA level, which is what doctors look at for signs of prostate cancer, so unless you know this and develop a plan of action with your doctor, such as monitoring your PSA level from baseline and having a biopsy performed at the first sign of an increase in your PSA levels, you may not be aware of prostate cancer and allow it to progress into high grade cancer.

Here is a good link that describes how fin masks you PSA numbers and what to do if you are on fin:

http://urology.jhu.edu/newsletter/2009/prostate_cancer_2009_10.php

[Notcoolanymore]

Good post Greatjob. I am close to that age where I am going to have to start getting those damn exams.

[Ktownmatti]

You may get sexual sides - I experience decreased ejaculate volume, but libido is ok.

Great Job sums it up well. Fin does NOT cause cancer.

[Scraff]

I'm also in a similar Propecia predicament. I've just returned home a few hours ago from my first HT & really would like to try Propecia but I am off put by the potential sides

Forgive me if I've misinterpreted the article but the following extract from the link concerns me a little;

The men in the finasteride group had a 25-percent lower risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer — but a 68-percent higher risk of being diagnosed with high-grade disease (a Gleason score of 7 to 10; this kind of cancer is generally more difficult to cure).

[Dan26]

I'm also in a similar Propecia predicament. I've just returned home a few hours ago from my first HT & really would like to try Propecia but I am off put by the potential sides

Forgive me if I've misinterpreted the article but the following extract from the link concerns me a little;

The men in the finasteride group had a 25-percent lower risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer — but a 68-percent higher risk of being diagnosed with high-grade disease (a Gleason score of 7 to 10; this kind of cancer is generally more difficult to cure).

The higher-grade disease is due to specific genotype. Fin seems to aggravate these people even more ie does not inhibit tar type 2. I wouldn't worry about it tbh, just get blood/DHT tests if you can.

[Will01]

Thanks for the replies, this is a tricky decision

I saw this link on another thread:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6720750/Drug-for-enlarged-prostate-linked-to-male-breast-cancer.html