Prevention

This content has been reviewed and approved by

Daniel P. Petrylak, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Genitourinary Oncology Program
Columbia University Medical Center
 

Are there medications that decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer? 

Question: I am a 61-year-old African-American diagnosed with prostate cancer about 2 years ago. I am currently on hormonal therapy and doing well after completing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). I have three brothers that I'm also concerned about. Are there any medications that they can take to decrease their risk of getting prostate cancer?

Answer: A large prostate cancer prevention trial was terminated 15 months earlier than planned. It showed about a 25 percent reduction in prostate cancer in men who took Proscar® (finasteride). This drug was primarily used for benign prostatic enlargement. There was a slight increase, however, in high-grade cancers in the men who took the finasteride. This is currently being evaluated.

This content was last reviewed August 15, 2010 by Dr. Reshma L. Mahtani.
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