Is the FDA Not Investigating Male Breast Cancer and Finasteride Links?

Dear Drs,

What’s the incidence been of people using finasrteride to treat hair loss getting male breast cancer? I heard it’s high and that the FDA is not investigating it.

For people not wanting to take oral medication for hair loss, is there any other “gold standard” approach? Like minoxidil with alzeic acid or the like…

Finally, what’s your take on caffeine and soy protein (said to create a substance that stops DHT from being made).

Instead of focusing on lowering DHT levels, hasn’t there been research into stopping the hair follicle from reacting to DHT? I’m assuming the DHT was always there and then the hair follicle got programmed to be ruined by it, or does the DHT increase as a sign of aging.

Many thanks

Huh? I don’t know where you heard the incidence of breast cancer from finasteride is high, but I’ll assume it’s F.U.D. as I’ve never seen any published medical studies showing that. I am not aware of any existing studies designed to connect breast cancer and finasteride. The FDA just announced they’re investigating finasteride and dutasteride (5-alpha reductase medications) in relation to breast cancer risks, but the probe just began .

Unfortunately, there is no “gold standard” medication for treating hair loss other than DHT blocking with finasteride. Minoxidil works, but the results are mixed.

There is no scientific proof of a connection between caffeine and soy protein and hair loss.

Finasteride is a competitive inhibitor for 5-alpha reductase and as such will compete with DHT at the hair follicle level.