Propecia hides more than just steroids

In two previous entries we wrote about the masking effects of Propecia (finasteride) on steroid use.  Well, it appears it hides something else; prostate cancer.

A prostate-specific hormone that is always present tends to become elevated with prostate cancer.  The same happens with steroid use, and Propecia is masking this elevation in hormones.  Unfortunately, for those who unknowingly have prostate cancer, this could mean a lot worse than suspension.

Dr. Anthony D'Amico, author from the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center in Boston, Massachusetts, along with his colleagues, has researched the hair loss drug's effects on the disease and says that it is inhibiting the detection of cancer until the cancer becomes more aggressive.

D'Amico recommends that men over the age of 40 should inform their doctors whether they are taking Propecia so that this information could be taken into account during prostate testing.  More sensitive tests can be used on people who do take the drug.