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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
05:19

A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance

Published on: November 7, 2025

Pharmacological approaches to reducing the risk of prostate cancer

Roger S Rittmaster1, Neil E Fleshner, Ian M Thompson

  • 1Oncology Clinical Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. roger.s.rittmaster@gsk.com

European Urology
|February 10, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Men can reduce their risk of biopsy-detectable prostate cancer with finasteride. While not reducing lethal cancers, it improves diagnosis of high-grade prostate cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Urology
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Prostate cancer risk reduction is achievable.
  • This review examines evidence and issues in prostate cancer prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review the scientific basis, therapeutic approaches, risks, and benefits of prostate cancer prevention.
  • Focus on 5alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) for prostate cancer risk reduction.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of Medline (post-2003).
  • Keywords: prostate cancer chemoprevention, prevention, risk reduction, 5-ARIs, finasteride, dutasteride, PSA.

Main Results:

  • Finasteride is supported for prostate cancer risk reduction in selected men; concerns about high-grade cancer incidence are unconfirmed.
  • Dutasteride's efficacy for risk reduction in men with elevated PSA is under evaluation.
  • Other agents (statins, COX-2 inhibitors, SERMs, supplements) require clinical trial validation.

Conclusions:

  • Prostate cancer risk reduction is possible, primarily by avoiding overtreatment of low-risk cancers.
  • Currently, 5-ARIs and other methods do not reduce the risk of lethal prostate cancer.
  • Finasteride enhances the diagnostic utility of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) for high-grade prostate cancers.

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