Finasteride May Be Effective Preventive Treatment Against Prostate Cancer
Filed Under Uncategorized |
Finasteride is an old drug used to block the formation of dihydrotestosterone, which can be useful in the treatment of BPH and male pattern baldness. A new look at an old study shows that it may be an effective treatment in the prevention of prostate cancer as well.
The original 2003 study was huge; 18,000 men were studied for 7 years to see if regular intake of finasteride prevents prostate cancer, and at the end of the study, researchers discovered that although prostate cancer was reduced in those receiving the treatment, of the men that did develop it, it seemed to be more aggressive in the finasteride patients than the placebo patients.
A new look at the study however reveals that this may have been an effect caused by the prostate shrinking that occurs while taking finasteride. A shrunken prostate more readily revealed cancer cells than a more normal prostate gland.
While still in the early stages, this new research may lead to doctors prescribing finasteride for their most high risk patients, in order to prevent prostate cancer.