Implications of Chronic Intake of Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia in Prostate Carcinoma
April 2023
in “
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
”
TLDR Chronic use of 1 mg/day finasteride for hair loss may delay prostate cancer diagnosis by lowering PSA levels.
This document discusses the implications of chronic finasteride use, particularly at a dose of 1 mg/day for androgenetic alopecia, on prostate cancer diagnosis and prevention. Finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase type 2 inhibitor, reduces dihydrotestosterone levels, which affects both hair follicles and prostate receptors. While finasteride at 5 mg/day is known to lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels by up to 50% and may have a chemopreventive effect on prostate cancer, this study aims to determine if similar effects occur with the 1 mg/day dose used for hair loss. The concern is whether this lower dose also reduces PSA levels, potentially delaying prostate cancer diagnosis, and if it offers any chemopreventive benefits.