Quitting and prostate cancer

General Discussion
#1

I have been on Propecia for 11 years and am in the process of tapering off. My sides have increased but are not bad - thanks to this site for helping me realize they will continue to get worse unless I quit.

One concern I have not seen discussed is the effect of quitting on prostate cancer cells. I have seen talk on other sites suggesting that hair follicles experience androgen upregulation in response to finasteride (although I dont think anyone knows for sure). Could prostate cancer cells also become more sensitive to DHT while on propecia and therefore grow quickly once off the drug? I am 33 years old so I hope I dont have any cancer cells but I suppose you never know.

Anyone have any thoughts, seen any research, or have any supplement suggestions to take while tapering off?

#2

Given how harmful the drug is to your system I think you have many more worries staying on the drug than possible anti-cancer benefits to your prostate. Be lucky if it even still exists given how long you’ve been taking Fin.

#3

There are much more effective ways to reverse cancer other then taking these drugs.

#4

My concern was not giving up Propecia as cancer-prevention. My concern was that by being on the drug and then quitting we could increase the risk of prostate cancer.

#5

I don’t believe there is any research in this direction. Most scientists currently seem to think that finasteride is as safe as green pea soup. We first need to get them to realize that there is a problem here before any work gets done regarding the question you asked.

I can only awser your question from a personal, anecdotal evidence point of view: Since quitting fin my hair started falling out at a rate you wouldn’t believe. My body hair has gotten much thicker. On the other hand, I am still loosing muscle. Your guess is as good as mine in which direction the prostate could swing.

But believe me: you’d rather have full blown prostate cancer than full blown finasteride side effects. I would continue to taper off very slowly and quit poisoning yourself if I were you.

#6

serously? as opposed to staying on and preventing cancer in your prostate and the rest of your body as Fin destroys it? THIS DRUG EATS AWAY AT YOUR VERY BEING!!!

Be worried about liver and kidney cancer from staying on the drug.

Get your priorities in line.

#7

He’s in the process of tapering off, as noted in his first post.

“I have been on Propecia for 11 years and am in the process of tapering off. My sides have increased but are not bad - thanks to this site for helping me realize they will continue to get worse unless I quit.”

#8

Understood Mew. I was referring to his worry of prostate cancer increased risk. I’m saying that we have bigger worries than possible prostate cancer development. Liver/kidney failure, long-term or permanant hormonal damage, brain damage, loss of muscle and bone density, etc…

#9

So is there a reported increase in such cancers whilst on Fin?