Drugs for Prostate Cancer Prevention?

27 feb 2009--The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Urological Association have concluded that men "may benefit from a discussion" of the benefits and potential risks of using 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, including finasteride and dutasteride, for preventing prostate cancer, the Journal of Urology reports.

Research suggests that treatment over 7 years reduces the risk for prostate cancer diagnosis by about 25%, relative to placebo.

For men considering use of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors for chemoprevention, physicians should explain that:

• the drugs do not eliminate the risk for prostate cancer;
  
• the risk for high-grade prostate cancer is uncertain;
  
• the drugs' long-term effect on prostate cancer incidence is unknown;
  
• patients may experience temporary sexual adverse effects.
  

LINK(S):

Journal of Urology article (Free PDF)