"The men who use Propecia are young men, in their 30s,
40s, and 50s," D'Amico said in an interview with the medical
website Web MD. "This is important because these are the
guys who, if they have prostate cancer, need to be diagnosed."
Merck, which makes Propecia and funded the research, said that
information advising patients to inform their doctor if they
are taking Propecia has been included in the drug packaging since
the product was initially approved in 1997.
The study found that Propecia cuts PSA levels in half after
one year of use. While there is no PSA threshold below which
cancer risk is completely eliminated, or above which cancer is
a certainty, the conventional normal range is between 0 and 4.0.
However, for men on Propecia, a PSA level of 2.0 could indicate
prostate cancer risk.
"If you've been on Propecia for a year, you should double
the PSA score," D'Amico said.
"If you are on Propecia for more than a year, don't multiply
the score; look at the change in PSA over time. If it goes up
by more than three-tenths of a point, consider a biopsy," he
said.
The danger is that men may get Propecia from one doctor and
PSA tests from another, says urologist Yair Lotan, MD, of the
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
"So if your internist doesn't know you're being treated
for male pattern baldness, and your PSA is 2.5, they may assume
you are normal -- but you really need to double that [score]
and see a urologist," Lotan told WebMD.
It's a difficult problem, said Wayne B. Harris, MD, assistant
professor of hematology and oncology at Emory University and
the Atlanta VA Medical Center.
A doctor may see a PSA result of three, and not be aware the
patient is taking Propecia, and therefore actually has a PSA
level equivalent to a six, Dr. Harris explained.
If you are using propecia, you must inform your doctor. Being
thorough, and being aware that Propecia can mask PSA test results,
will help you and your doctor determine your actual cancer risk.
Legitimate, safe and test-proven drugs like Propecia don’t need
to compromise your health.
Men and women today have many options for delaying and offsetting
the affects of aging. The information to do so safely is out
there for the taking-- and so are the marvels of medicine. If
looking better means feeling better, then perhaps appealing to
your vanity will not only eliminate your bald spot but may enhance
your overall middle-age experience.
