Propecia May Cause Male Breast Cancer. If you took Finasteride and were diagnosed with male breast cancer, this drug may be to blame according to Health Canada. Male breast cancer is exceedingly rare, accounting for only about 1 percent of all breast cancer cases. However, a number of cases of male breast cancer have been reported in men taking Finasteride for enlarged prostate, as well as for male pattern baldness. Men taking Finasteride should report any breast changes to their doctor immediately, including breast enlargement, breast lumps, pain or tenderness, or nipple discharge.
The defective drug lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP are offering free lawsuit consultations to anyone who may be a victim of Finasteride male breast cancer. Finasteride male breast cancer victims may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, in addition to pain and suffering. To learn how Parker Waichman LLP may be able to help you, please contact our Finasteride male breast cancer lawyers today or call us at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
Finasteride is one of a class of drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, or 5-ARIs. Finasteride 5 mg is used to treat and control non-cancerous, enlarged prostate, while finasteride 1 mg is used to treat male pattern baldness. In addition to generic versions of Finasteride, the drugs are sold under the brand names Proscar, for enlarged prostate, and Propecia, for male pattern baldness.
Male Breast Cancer Symptoms
Male breast cancer strikes only one out of every 100,000 men in the general population. However, recent evidence suggests that men who take Finasteride face a higher risk of developing this rare disease. For example, according to information printed on the drug’s label, four cases of breast cancer were reported among those treated with Finasteride 5 mg during a clinical trial that involved 3,047 men taking either Proscar or a placebo. No cases of the disease were reported among the men taking a placebo.
In 2009, an analysis by the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency found a total of 53 men worldwide on finasteride had developed breast cancer. In 2010, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) mandated that information regarding a possible association with male breast cancer be included on the labeling of drugs that contain finasteride.
In August 2011, regulators in Canada announced that the labels of finasteride products sold there would be updated to include information regarding their possible association with male breast cancer. According to Health Canada, male breast cancer has been reported in a small number of patients worldwide with both the 1 mg and 5 mg formulations of finasteride, though most have been associated with the 5mg formulation. Health Canada has advised that men taking finasteride contact their doctors should they experience breast enlargement, breast lumps, pain or tenderness, nipple discharge, or any other changes while taking the drug.
Need Legal Help Regarding Propecia?
The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
