My question concerns Propecia and Melanoma/other cancers. I’m a 28 year old male with moderate MPB. 2 years ago I was taking Propecia with positive results. After about 8 months on the drug I was diagnosed with a Stage 1 Melanoma. The biopsy showed no sun damage and I have no family history of the disease. I immediately made several life changes (diet etc.) including stopping Propecia. After lots of cancer research post diagnosis I noticed the correlation with hormone change/imbalance and cancer development (fertility drugs, pregnancy etc.). Studies also show that men that develop prostate cancer while taking dutastaride develop a more aggressive form of the cancer. My question is, what do you think the odds are that Propecia had a hand in the development of my cancer and have you ever heard of this before? Also, do you think it would be safe for me to start taking the drug again?
Thanks for your time
There is no evidence that Propecia (finasteride) impacts any cancer other than prostate cancer. The studies on finasteride (5mg daily use over 7 years) showed that men that took it (over placebo group) has a decreased risk of cancer by 25%. The statement of more malignant cancers has not been born out with follow-ups on these patients, as reports show that those patients that were thought to have a more aggressive cancer lived just as long as the other group of men. I do not believe that there is any connection between Propecia and your melanoma and would not hesitate to recommend it to one of my patients with your history, but if it worried you, then you can elect not to take it.
Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):
I started taking Propecia for initial stages of mpb about 8 years ago when I was 28. When I was 30, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma. I subsequently stopped taking the propecia and while I am only one data sample, I have often wondered if the drug was linked to my cancer.
I am now 37 and while I am just glad that the year of interferon and surgeries are behind me, I have now wondered whether it would have been all avoided had I not taken any Propecia.
Regards, PMarshall
I would like to know that is dutastaride hormonal drug? Please inform me.