Possible cancer protection from prostate drugs

Can Prostate Drugs Help Prevent Cancer? New Research Says Yes

For years, there were concerns that 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs)—medications commonly prescribed for enlarged prostate (BPH)—might raise the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. But recent studies now suggest the opposite: some prostate drugs may actually reduce prostate cancer risk.

A major breakthrough came from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), which found that taking finasteride (Proscar), a 5-ARI, for seven years reduced the risk of developing low-grade prostate cancer by 25% in men aged 55 and older.

This was confirmed by a 2018 follow-up study of nearly 9,500 men, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The results showed that long-term use of finasteride was not linked to an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer and may even offer protective benefits.

Key Takeaways

• 5-ARIs like finasteride and dutasteride are safe for long-term use

• These drugs may help prevent low-grade prostate cancer

• Earlier fears about an increased cancer risk have been largely disproven by newer research

Should You Take Prostate Medication to Lower Cancer Risk?

Always consult your doctor. These findings are promising, especially for men at risk for benign prostatic hyperplasia or those with a family history of prostate cancer. As more research emerges, prostate medications may become part of a broader cancer prevention strategy.