Recently, the rumors have spread that Propecia is related to testicular cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer in men. However, how much truth is there in such statements? It is a known fact that no clinical trials have found obvious correlation between the long-term Propecia therapy (particularly, the off-label use for hair loss treatment), so what is the source of such information? Let us look closer at it.
Propecia cancer alertness is related to the particular mechanism of action of this medication. As we know, Finasteride (Propecia) is directly responsible for conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the hormone that primarily affects the sexual function in men. The excessive levels of the hormone provoke prostate enlargement (which is a serious complication and a disease), hair loss (which Propecia effectively fights), and even prostate cancer. So, as it’s clearly seen, Propecia not only prevents hair loss, but it also reduces the risk of cancer in men, as a part of its mechanism of action. Then, why do people still ask “Does Propecia cause cancer?”, what makes them think it does?
The answer is certainly “No.” Propecia does not cause cancer on its own; though this is a kind of hormone therapy, it actually reduces the risk of cancer. Nevertheless, there is a relation between long-term Propecia therapy and the risk of lethal cancer case. Why is it so? The reason is simple. Making the prostate decrease in size, preventing the prostate enlargement and protecting men from the inconvenience of excessive dihydrotestosterone levels, Propecia unwittingly masks the possible cancer symptoms, delaying the detection of the disease. For real, there is a small correlation between early detection of cancer and Propecia therapy, which is not in favor of Finasteride.
However, if the patient does not have a predisposition to cancer and there are no other factors that may cause cancer, taking Propecia is safe. Propecia cancer testicular, Propecia breast cancer and Propecia prostate cancer side effects are nothing but a myth. The drug actually prevents the cancer, reducing the risk to get it. None of Propecia side effects cancer related. Regular screening and monitoring of the patient’s health condition is advised though, to eliminate the risk of late cancer detection.
One of the important effects of Propecia, aside from the off-label hair loss treatment, is its positive effect on BPH, or benign prostate hyperplasia. In case of BPH, Finasteride is the first-line treatment, and reducing the size of prostate, it definitely reduces the risk for cancer to develop. Though the drug is not intended for prevention or treatment of prostate cancer (or any other form of cancer), it definitely helps to reduce the risk of the disease in patients, who are prone to cancer due to their high dihydrotestosterone levels. In this case, it is beneficial that treatment of hair loss and prophylaxis of cancer come hand in hand.