finasteride and cancer risk?

[Funkymonk1]

Firstly, no I'm not fear mongering I just want some clarification on this. Of all the sides associated with finasteride the one that's potentially the most serious seems to be talked about the least on these boards. From what I understand finasteride reduces the risk of getting low grade prostate cancer but increases the risk of getting high grade (ie the more dangerous type) prostate cancer. Again this is not fear mongering, this is based on scientific studies. I understand it only slightly increases the risk of getting cancer but even so.........................

 

[wilson2]

I have also read that. It would be interesting to if it increases the cancer risk uniformly in all age groups or if it's more front loaded towards younger guys. I'll be honest, If I could take finasteride and keep hair into my 40's and improve my odds of high grade prostate cancer by like 4%. I would not care. The more immediate sexual sides of finasteride scare me off of it, pretty much nothing else does.

Here is some stats on the likelyhood of prostate cancer.

"1 in 10,000 men under age 40 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 38 for ages 40 to 59, and 1 in 14 for ages 60 to 69. In fact, more than 65% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65."-www.pcg.org

 

[yetti]

Read "effects on PSA" and also the entry below it in the middle of this page.

 

[Funkymonk1]

I have also read that. It would be interesting to if it increases the cancer risk uniformly in all age groups or if it's more front loaded towards younger guys. I'll be honest, If I could take finasteride and keep hair into my 40's and improve my odds of high grade prostate cancer by like 4%. I would not care. The more immediate sexual sides of finasteride scare me off of it, pretty much nothing else does.

Here is some stats on the likelyhood of prostate cancer.

"1 in 10,000 men under age 40 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 38 for ages 40 to 59, and 1 in 14 for ages 60 to 69. In fact, more than 65% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65."-www.pcg.org

Well, I don't think like that. Any product that increases the risk of the big C, even slightly, makes me apprehensive. But I guess everyone's different.

- - - Updated - - -

Read "effects on PSA" and also the entry below it in the middle of this page.

The thing is, I've read so many reports saying different things it still seems to be a grey area to me.

 

[g.i joey]

the 18 year study is the most accurate study we've had, which proves that finasteride is safe overall.

 

[yetti]

The thing is, I've read so many reports saying different things it still seems to be a grey area to me.

I agree. But clearly this forum isn't a place where you're going to get any really persuasive info. one way or the other.

 

[Funkymonk1]

No, I didn't really expect to but I'm still surprised more people aren't a bit more worried about it considering the confusing and less then reassuring reports currently available.

 

[Folliman]

The answer is no one knows. But I think it's safe to assume that if there is a risk it's definitely a lot smaller than getting cancer from smoking. The safest route would be to tell your doctor that you're taking finasteride and do checkups once a year if you're that worried.