• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • 2MM Podcast
  • Write for us
  • Contact Us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • All Specialties, All Recent Reports
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharma
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • AI Roundup
  • Pharma
  • The Scan+
  • Classics™+
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Podcasts
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • All Specialties, All Recent Reports
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharma
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • AI Roundup
  • Pharma
  • The Scan+
  • Classics™+
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Podcasts
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home The Classics General Medicine Classics

Finasteride significantly reduces incidence of prostate cancer [Classics Series]

byLauren KoandAndrew Cheung, MD MBA
July 17, 2014
in General Medicine Classics, Surgery Classics, The Classics
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

1. Finasteride therapy was found to significantly reduce the incidence of prostate cancer compared to placebo.

2. Patients treated with finasteride were significantly more likely to have high-grade prostate cancers.

3. Patients on finasteride experienced significantly higher rates of sexual side effects, included erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, and gynecomastia

Original Date of Publication: July 17, 2003

Study Rundown: While some evidence suggests that finasteride, which inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, reduced the risk of prostate cancer, there was no data from large, randomized, controlled trials to support this observation. In this landmark study, patients with a prostate specific antigen (PSA) of ≤3.0 ng/mL and normal rectal examination were randomized into two groups – in the first group, patients received finasteride 5 mg daily, and in the second group, patients were given placebo. Over the 7 year trial period, this study demonstrated that patients treated with finasteride experienced a significantly lower incidence of prostate cancer than those in the placebo group (RRR 24.8%; 95%CI 18.6-30.6; p<0.001). Interestingly, patients in the finasteride group had significantly higher likelihood of developing high-grade prostate cancer (37.0% vs. 22.2%, p<0.001). Patients in the treatment group had increased sexual side effects such as decreases in potency, libido, and ejaculate volumes, but also decreased urinary problems such as incontinence, frequency, and urinary tract infections. Nevertheless, in the final analysis, mortality from prostate cancer was low in both groups (5 prostate cancer-related deaths in each group).

Click to read the study in NEJM

RELATED REPORTS

2 Minute Medicine: Pharma Roundup – Gastric Immunotherapy Gains, Prostate Pill Expansion, Five-Minute Myeloma Dosing, and Streamlined CAR-T Access [July 8th 2025]

The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine®: Celebrity diagnoses spur screenings, athlete mental-health push, reality-TV heart lesson, and a sitcom PSA wave

Exercise improves sexual function in men with prostate cancer  

In-Depth [randomized controlled trial] This double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial was originally published in 2003. Eligible participants were ≥55 years of age, had a normal rectal examination, and had a PSA level of ≤3.0 ng/mL. A total of 18,882 men were randomized to receive either finasteride 5 mg daily or placebo. Participants were followed for 7 years. The primary outcome measured was prevalence of prostate cancer over the course of the study. Secondary outcomes were prostate cancer mortality and tumor grade (specifically, Gleason grade ≥7) based on prostate biopsies. At the end of the study, all participants not diagnosed with prostate cancer were offered a prostate biopsy at 7 years ±90 days after randomization.

The study was terminated 15 months prior to its anticipated completion – at this time, 81.3% of participants had completed the 7 year follow-up. In the final analysis of 9,060 participants, the rate of prostate cancer diagnosis was found to be significantly lower in the finasteride group compared to placebo (RRR 24.8%; 95%CI 18.6-30.6; p<0.001). Interestingly, 48.4% of prostate cancer diagnoses were made based on end-of-study prostate biopsies, while the others were made based on cause-driven biopsies or interim procedures. Finasteride treatment was associated with higher rates of high-grade prostate cancer, defined as tumors of Gleason grade 7 or higher (37.0% vs. 22.2%, p<0.001). The use of finasteride was also associated with higher rates of various sexual side effects, including reduced ejaculate volume (60.4% vs. 47.3%), erectile dysfunction (67.4% vs. 61.5%), loss of libido (65.4% vs. 59.6%), and gynecomastia (4.5% vs. 2.8%, p<0.001 for all comparisons). Urinary urgency/frequency (12.9% vs. 15.6%), urinary retention (4.2% vs. 6.3%), and prostatitis (4.4% vs. 6.1%) rates were all significantly higher in the placebo group (p<0.001 for all comparisons). There was no significant difference in mortality from prostate cancer in the two groups (5 deaths per group).

Image: PD

© 2012-2014 2minutemedicine.com. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2minutemedicine.com. Disclaimer: We present factual information directly from peer reviewed medical journals. No post should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors, editors, staff or by 2minutemedicine.com. PLEASE SEE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IN YOUR AREA IF YOU SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE OF ANY SORT.

Tags: prostateprostate cancer
Previous Post

Risk of cerebral palsy linked with relatedness to cerebral palsy patient

Next Post

Low reoccurrence in nipple-sparing mastectomy for BRCA1/2 cancers

RelatedReports

2 Minute Medicine: Pharma Roundup: Price Hikes, Breakthrough Approvals, Legal Showdowns, Biotech Expansion, and Europe’s Pricing Debate [May 12nd, 2025]
Pharma

2 Minute Medicine: Pharma Roundup – Gastric Immunotherapy Gains, Prostate Pill Expansion, Five-Minute Myeloma Dosing, and Streamlined CAR-T Access [July 8th 2025]

July 8, 2025
The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine®:  Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, Taylor Swift, NBA rookie Chet Holmgren and Magic Mushrooms!
The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine®

The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine®: Celebrity diagnoses spur screenings, athlete mental-health push, reality-TV heart lesson, and a sitcom PSA wave

July 2, 2025
Patient-reported outcomes differ significantly based on treatment in prostate cancer: The ProtecT trial
Chronic Disease

Exercise improves sexual function in men with prostate cancer  

May 24, 2025
BRAF V600E mutations linked with increased mortality in thyroid cancer
Oncology

Genome classifiers may aid prostate cancer risk stratification and treatment

January 20, 2025
Next Post

Low reoccurrence in nipple-sparing mastectomy for BRCA1/2 cancers

Shifting causes of death in HIV patients from 1999-2011 [D:A:D study]

Risk of delayed-onset ulnar neuritis after arthroscopic release of elbow contracture

Risk of delayed-onset ulnar neuritis after arthroscopic release of elbow contracture

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • 2 Minute Medicine Rewind July 14, 2025
  • New obesity framework may reclassify over half of overweight individuals as people with obesity
  • Digital health apps may have limited role in reduction of migraine symptoms
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • All Specialties, All Recent Reports
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharma
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • AI Roundup
  • Pharma
  • The Scan
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Podcasts
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
No Result
View All Result

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.