Tweet
So, I'm thinking about finally starting propecia, but am unsure whether it increases or decreases the risk for developing prostate cancer later on in life. I had cancer in my teens, so I tend to turn into a hypochondriac when I read that a drug my be related to the development of cancer.
There are various studies that partially link male pattern baldness and prostate cancer. Especially men with a combined frontal and vertex balding pattern are supposedly susceptible to develop an aggressive type of prostate cancer later on in life:
As androgens are mainly responsible for the development of MPB and prostate cancer, I would jump to the quick conclusion that finasteride would be beneficial in not just slowing balding but also for decreasing prostate cancer risk. I mean, Proscar® is actually used for the treatment of an enlarged prostate, by decreasing testosterone and DHT levels.
However, this FDA statement from from 2011 really confuses me:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/S.../ucm258529.htm -> "FDA notified healthcare professionals that the Warnings and Precautions section of the labels for the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) class of drugs has been revised to include new safety information about the increased risk of being diagnosed with a more serious form of prostate cancer (high-grade prostate cancer)."
http://www.drugwatch.com/propecia/ -> "In June 2011, the FDA released a safety announcement warning that Propecia and other 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may increase the risk for a serious form of prostate cancer. Known as high-grade prostate cancer, this is the most deadly kind."
Though, there is another new study from 2015:
Here it's stated that:"Among men with detectable finasteride concentrations, there was no association between finasteride concentrations and prostate cancer risk, low-grade or high-grade... Since there was no concentration-dependent effect on prostate cancer, any exposure to finasteride intake may reduce prostate cancer risk. These results suggest that finasteride exposure may reduce prostate cancer risk..."
This just leaves me confused as, if I understand it correctly, the FDA and the recent study from 2015 from C. Chau et al. basically state opposite things on the risk/benefits of finasteride regarding the development of prostate cancer.
So, does 1mg of Propecia® per day reduce or increase the risk for the development of certain types of prostate cancer?
Would really appreciate some comments on this. Thank you!
There are various studies that partially link male pattern baldness and prostate cancer. Especially men with a combined frontal and vertex balding pattern are supposedly susceptible to develop an aggressive type of prostate cancer later on in life:
As androgens are mainly responsible for the development of MPB and prostate cancer, I would jump to the quick conclusion that finasteride would be beneficial in not just slowing balding but also for decreasing prostate cancer risk. I mean, Proscar® is actually used for the treatment of an enlarged prostate, by decreasing testosterone and DHT levels.
However, this FDA statement from from 2011 really confuses me:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/S.../ucm258529.htm -> "FDA notified healthcare professionals that the Warnings and Precautions section of the labels for the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) class of drugs has been revised to include new safety information about the increased risk of being diagnosed with a more serious form of prostate cancer (high-grade prostate cancer)."
http://www.drugwatch.com/propecia/ -> "In June 2011, the FDA released a safety announcement warning that Propecia and other 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may increase the risk for a serious form of prostate cancer. Known as high-grade prostate cancer, this is the most deadly kind."
Though, there is another new study from 2015:
Here it's stated that:"Among men with detectable finasteride concentrations, there was no association between finasteride concentrations and prostate cancer risk, low-grade or high-grade... Since there was no concentration-dependent effect on prostate cancer, any exposure to finasteride intake may reduce prostate cancer risk. These results suggest that finasteride exposure may reduce prostate cancer risk..."
This just leaves me confused as, if I understand it correctly, the FDA and the recent study from 2015 from C. Chau et al. basically state opposite things on the risk/benefits of finasteride regarding the development of prostate cancer.
So, does 1mg of Propecia® per day reduce or increase the risk for the development of certain types of prostate cancer?
Would really appreciate some comments on this. Thank you!
Comment