The effect of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) medications on prostate cancer incidence

This study investigated the use of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) medications in relation to risk of prostate cancer. This study found that men using BPH medications had a lower risk of being diagnosed with PC. 

People diagnosed with BPH (non-cancerous overgrowth of the prostate) can be treated using medications. 5α-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) such as finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) and α-blockers such as tamsulosin (Flomax) or doxazosin (Cardura) are medications used to treat symptoms of BPH. 

It is unclear if these medications have an effect on the chances of developing prostate cancer (PC). 

This study included 24,012 patients. They were split into three groups. Group A had 4,571 men who used 5ARI. Group B used α-blockers and had 7,764 patients. Group C did not use medications and included 11,677 men.

Group A had a 40% lower risk of a PC diagnosis compared to group C. Group B had an 11% lower risk of a PC diagnosis compared with non-users. There was no difference in the occurrence of advanced PC or deaths due to PC. Risk of high-grade PC was higher in Groups A and B but this did not affect mortality. 

This study found that men using BPH medications had a lower risk of being diagnosed with PC. 

This is a retrospective study (based on medical records) and is not the highest level of evidence.