TRT and prostate cancer

[hizhonor]

Lately, news stations and the newspaper have been stating that studies are concluding that TRT in men over the age 50 increases the incidence of prostate cancer. My understanding is that DHT is the culprit; but since it is part and parcel of testsosterone,T gets the blame. Further, I understand that finasteride is a medication used to reduce prostate enlargement and PSA and does this by reducing DHT. Therefore, is it correct to conclude that finasteride will reduce the incidence of prostate problems in men over 50 on TRT?

 

[mxim]

trt DOES NOT increase the risk of prostate cancer. it does seem to worsen an alreadt enlarged prostate. so,if you have an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer,testosterone will exaserbate things but it will not cause it. hrt is well tolerated in healthy men/
mxim

 

[SWALE]

DHT is not the culprit in prostate morbidity. It is actually estrogen (working in an environment of DHT) that is. I can raise your DHT levels dramatically with DHT supplementation, and your sick prostate will get better, not worse. Of note, your estrogen will actually decrease at the same time, via DHT's inhibition of the HPTA.

There is no known asociation between BPH and prostatic CA.

How many of you have seen a study being promoted in this way that showed higher androgen levels as protective against prostateCA? A recent search turned up 27 studies attempting to relate prostate CA risk and serum androgen levels. 22 of them either failed to show any association, or in fact that the higher your T levels are, the safer you are from prostate CA. By contrast, only five showed what the study featured in this thread does,and one of them was just a case study. So, to my thinking, the score is 22-to-6 against this being the case.

And no study has ever shown TRT increases the risk of prostate cancer.

About 10% of all men will develop prostate cancer, anyway. This study showed a 5% increase over that. However, ALL of the men who are hypogonadal will suffer because of that.

One study I read showed that men with lower T levels developed nastier forms of prostate cancer.

Men undergoing TRT are much more likely to have any developing prostate CA diagnosed, or diagnosed earlier, since doctors who prescribe appropriate TRT demand careful monitoring of PSA and regular Digital Rectal Exams.

 

[hizhonor]

My-o-my, things are getting interesting. You know, many men take finasteride in the belief that it will reduce DHT. But, where an increase in DHT actually helps a sick prostate, it would appear that the use of finasteride is counterproductive in that regard. So, is there any reason to take finasteride for enlarged prostate. It is advertised as being helpful and I take it as a prophylactic measure. Would I be better served by throwing my money in the street?

 

[SWALE]

Finasteride will definitely lower DHT. But it also can make men wimpy, lethargic and impotent. I'd be more interested in the employment of DIM for a few months as trial of therapy, so to attack the problem at its true cause--estrogen. BTW, finasteride is recommended for a full six months before determination of efficacy can be made.

I'd also rather see Flomax tried.

 

[Phreezer]

This is a very interesting thread... Thanks fella's!

 

[SWALE]

Does anyone have a copy of this study?

 

[hizhonor]

The"study" mentioned by me was broadcast over cable T.V. and said to be based on a newspaper article which circulates in So. Calif. I know this is particularly sketchy and with the steroid uproar, it could be a knee-jerk reaction by the media. None-the-less, my recollection of the information was accurate and recalled easily due to its shock value. I recall also that an article I read at a different time mentioned the same set of conditions leading to the same conclusion,i.e., TRT leads to prostate problems. I surely do willingly undertake to keep my eyes open for more verifiable sources regarding this topic. Thanks to all and especially SWALE for the input....most helpful.

 

[hizhonor]

Oh! One more thing. Is it considered dangerous to undergo TRT without periodic prostate exams?

 

[hizhonor]

Bump

 

[buck]

Maybe not dangerous. But certainly unwise.

 

[SWALE]

At this time, Prostate cancer is an absolute contraindication for TRT. A rise in PSA of 0.75 or greater will result in withholding of TRT, and a subsequent Urology consult.

PSA MUST be monitored while on TRT, with Digital Rectal Exams every 6 to twelve months.

Men who supplement their testosterone--whether TRT or AAS--without following their prostate health are indeed playing with fire.

 

[hizhonor]

I appreciate the definative answer. I'm sure everyone else does too. As a matter of fact, I'm saving the info. for reference--ahh, as a general bit of information, not medical advice directed at a specific problem. SWALE is the man, don't you think.