Finasteride reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

A newly published study indicates that finasteride, a drug commonly used to treat urinary tract infections, may significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.

Illustrative image. (Source: sfgate.com)

According to research by experts at the National Cancer Institute (USA), using the urinary tract drug finasteride can reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men by up to 30%, while not promoting tumor growth or increasing the risk of death.

A team of scientists led by Dr. Ian Thompson, an expert in cancer treatment, conducted a multi-year study on over 18,000 men aged 55 and older who used finasteride. The results showed that only about 10% of those using finasteride developed prostate cancer, compared to a 15% rate among those not using the drug.

Dr. Michael LeFevre, a member of the research team, stated that the use of finasteride to treat urinary tract infections in men is entirely appropriate and does not cause serious side effects. However, he noted that users may experience fatigue, even weakness, and a significant decrease in libido. Therefore, men should carefully consider the risks before deciding to use this medication.

In the United States, approximately 240,000 people are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and about 30,000 die from it. The results of this study may offer new insights into the use of cancer prevention drugs.

According to VNA - M.D.