WELL-KNOWN HAIR LOSS TREATMENT MAY CAUSE MALE BREAST CANCER

A preferred hair loss treatment for men may cause or may increase risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a form of cancer that emanates from breast tissue, typically affected are the lobules that supply the milk duct with milk or the lining of milk ducts. Cancers that comes from the milk ducts are known as ductal carcinoma and those coming from the lobules are called lobular carcinoma.

In 2008, about 458,503 deaths were caused by breast cancer alone. Breast cancer is commonly seen in women although there are also rare cases of breast cancer in men.

Compared to women, male breast cancer is easier to diagnose since there isn’t much breast tissue and any expanding mass can be obviously seen or palpated. However, due to lack of awareness, the treatment is frequently delayed. Patients commonly seek only when the condition is in its advanced stages, usually stage III or IV.

Recently, Health Canada released a warning stating that the drug finasteride has a possibility to cause breast cancer in men. There are 2 types of finasteride preparations sold in Canada. One is a low dose 1 mg preparation under the brand name Propecia, which is used for treating hair loss. The other drug called Proscar has a higher dose, 5mg, and is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.

Based on a worldwide report, Health Canada has observed that a small number of male patients who took finasteride, either the 1mg or 5mg preparation have developed breast cancer. Similar reports also showed that the same drug can cause prolonged or permanent sexual dysfunctions like lack of libido, erectile dysfunctions, and lack or less volume of ejaculate.

What is frightening about this discovery is that Propecia is the number one hair loss treatment on the market to date. Surprisingly, there are reports that some men are willing to give up their desires to have thicker and fuller head of hair.