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Does Finasteride Cause Male Breast Cancer?
Question: Dear Dr
I am taking finasteride 1mg for hair loss and mbp.
I am concerned about the risk of Finasteride and breast cancer risk..Is there a risk with its use.Should i stop taking it..As you are an oncologist you must have a detailed information about this..Kindly give me an advice in this regard what to do?My dermatologist says that risk is with prolonged use and that too with 5mg dose.
What is your best advice in this regard..please guide asap.
I am taking finasteride 1mg for hair loss and mbp.
I am concerned about the risk of Finasteride and breast cancer risk..Is there a risk with its use.Should i stop taking it..As you are an oncologist you must have a detailed information about this..Kindly give me an advice in this regard what to do?My dermatologist says that risk is with prolonged use and that too with 5mg dose.
What is your best advice in this regard..please guide asap.
Brief Answer:
Risk is minimal, if any
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
Male breast cancers have been reported in patients taking long term finasteride. The incidence in those taking 5 mg was on higher side than those who were not but not by a statistically higher margin. And that in those taking 1 mg was not higher even numerically.
So, as of now the relation between finasteride and breast cancer is unproven but as there is a trend with 5 mg, we should be cautious. For 1 mg, probably no excess risk exists.
This is basically what your dermatologist has told you.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Risk is minimal, if any
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
Male breast cancers have been reported in patients taking long term finasteride. The incidence in those taking 5 mg was on higher side than those who were not but not by a statistically higher margin. And that in those taking 1 mg was not higher even numerically.
So, as of now the relation between finasteride and breast cancer is unproven but as there is a trend with 5 mg, we should be cautious. For 1 mg, probably no excess risk exists.
This is basically what your dermatologist has told you.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This situation is a dilemma.Dr indranil are you a dermatologist or oncologist? Also i would like to know whether will you suggest me to continue on this drug or not?
Brief Answer:
I am an oncologist as mentioned in my profile
Detailed Answer:
As you have posted your query to an oncologist, it has come to me. Your question also says 'As you are an oncologist you must have a detailed information'.
I can't recommend to you whether you should continue this or not as it is prescribed for hairfall, which is not my specialty. What I can say is that it is not likely to cause any excess risk for cancer at this dose.
I am an oncologist as mentioned in my profile
Detailed Answer:
As you have posted your query to an oncologist, it has come to me. Your question also says 'As you are an oncologist you must have a detailed information'.
I can't recommend to you whether you should continue this or not as it is prescribed for hairfall, which is not my specialty. What I can say is that it is not likely to cause any excess risk for cancer at this dose.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr
I appreciate your answer..But as you mentioned that no excess risk is there, i want to know about minimal risk also..Have you seen a finasteride associated male breast cancer in your carrer..As merck failed to warn customers about possible risks many people experienced sexual dysfunction..I dont know whether lawsuits filed against merck are true or fake..So please share your experience..Also i would like to know whether you have taken this drug after knowing all possible risks as even minimal risk for ca is sufficient for me to discontinue this drug though response to this drug for me excellent..
awaiting your kind response
I appreciate your answer..But as you mentioned that no excess risk is there, i want to know about minimal risk also..Have you seen a finasteride associated male breast cancer in your carrer..As merck failed to warn customers about possible risks many people experienced sexual dysfunction..I dont know whether lawsuits filed against merck are true or fake..So please share your experience..Also i would like to know whether you have taken this drug after knowing all possible risks as even minimal risk for ca is sufficient for me to discontinue this drug though response to this drug for me excellent..
awaiting your kind response
Brief Answer:
Minimal risk remains
Detailed Answer:
I have not seen any finasteride associated male breast cancer in my practice. Worldwide 50 cases with 5 mg dose and 3 cases with 1 mg dose were reported. Some others must have gone unreported.
So it is impossible to exclude from this data that 1 mg dose may cause a few breast cancers. But surely much lower than 5 mg.
My suggestion is that if it is avoidable, then better to avoid.
Minimal risk remains
Detailed Answer:
I have not seen any finasteride associated male breast cancer in my practice. Worldwide 50 cases with 5 mg dose and 3 cases with 1 mg dose were reported. Some others must have gone unreported.
So it is impossible to exclude from this data that 1 mg dose may cause a few breast cancers. But surely much lower than 5 mg.
My suggestion is that if it is avoidable, then better to avoid.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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