Q&A: 5-ARIs Increase the Risk of High-Grade Prostate Cancer

On June 9, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed the public of new safety information for drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs). Men who take these drugs may have an increased risk of being diagnosed with a more serious form of prostate cancer (high-grade prostate cancer). The Warnings and Precautions section of the labels for all FDA-approved 5-ARIs has been revised to include information about this risk.

Q1. What are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs)?

A. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) are a class of prescription medicines primarily used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men. BPH is a common condition in men older than 40 and is characterized by an enlarged prostate and symptoms such as frequent urination and difficulty emptying the bladder. Drugs in this class are finasteride (marketed as Proscar [finasteride 5 mg] and Propecia [finasteride 1 mg]) and dutasteride (marketed as Avodart).

Avodart and Proscar are indicated for the treatment of BPH symptoms in men with an enlarged prostate. They are also approved to reduce the risk of urinary retention or surgery related to BPH.

Propecia is only indicated for the treatment of male pattern hair loss.

Q2. What is high-grade prostate cancer?

A. High-grade prostate cancer is an aggressive type of prostate cancer, meaning it grows and spreads faster compared to low-grade prostate cancer. High-grade prostate cancer is a serious disease, but accounts for a small portion of all diagnosed prostate cancers.

Q3. Why are the labels of all 5-ARIs being revised?

A.  The labels of all 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) are being revised based on FDA’s review of two large studies examining whether these drug products (Proscar, Avodart) reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The studies did find an overall reduction in the risk of lower-grade forms of prostate cancer, but both studies also showed an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer.

As a result of these two studies, the labels of all FDA-approved 5-ARIs will be revised to include new information that these drug products may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. The product labeling will also state that 5-ARIs are not approved for the prevention of prostate cancer.

Traction Alopecia: Expert Expresses Damaging Effects of Hair Extensions

A hair loss expert at the London Centre of Trichology came out and said that in the last two years, he’s seen a 15 percent increase in women seeking treatment after damaging their hair with glue extensions—which he now believes should be straight-up banned before they scalp more women.

The trichologist told BBC that the extension-related hair loss is traction alopecia, a condition caused when too much tension is regularly placed on the hair roots, pulling out the hairs and damaging the follicles permanently. Yikes!

We asked New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, who specializes in hair loss, if hair extensions are going to give us hair reductions in the long run.

What’s your take on this news linking an increase in hair damage to extensions?

It doesn’t surprise me. It’s true—but it’s true for a variety of reasons. It’s not the hair extensions per se that are bad. It’s like anything—if you get artificial nails done or eyelash extensions—it’s about whether the person who is doing it and you, the person who is getting them, knows how to maintain them. I don’t think extensions should be banned; they should be done properly.

Is there a way to have extensions and not have hair damage or loss?

Yes. Go to a pro who really knows how to do extensions. Professionals should have undergone training; this is not something you want to have done at your local nail salon. And you should go back to your stylist for maintenance at least once a month. The stylist will make sure that the extensions are on properly, and if one is pulling at the hair, they’ll remove it and reapply it the proper way.

They can also rotate the areas that they put the hair extensions on so it’s not the same group of hairs under stress every time. Rotating means less damage to the hair follicles. And [at home], you shouldn’t pull at [extensions] too much when styling.

Say I’ve noticed some hair loss . . .

If you’re starting to experience hair loss, address it right away. This will eventually damage the hair follicle and the hair loss will be permanent. So if you’re seeing [some loss] now, eventually the follicle will be scarred and you won’t get that hair back.

Are sewn-in extensions less harmful than glue extensions?

No. Sewn-in are more damaging than glue-in, which in America are called individual keratin extensions. The corn-rowing [involved in the sewn-in process] is stressful on the hair and the hair follicles. There’s more weight on the surface area with sewn-in extensions than individual keratin strands. Individual keratin strands are better.

If you notice an extension is pulling on your hair, see your stylist about having it removed and reapplied. If you’re already experiencing hair loss due to your extensions, have the extensions removed and see a doctor.

Finding a Hair Loss Solution in a Hair Restoration Clinic

With hair restoration clinics, effective hair restoration means loss of hair no longer has to be a lifelong problem.

Hair restoration centres or clinics have finally given hope to those suffering from thinning hair or hair loss. Recapturing that youthful look and confidence is possible with cutting-edge procedures.

Medical hair restoration is a process that has seen tremendous advancements in recent years. Individuals suffering from hair loss or thinning hair have long hoped for a reliable treatment to their condition. Unfortunately, for decades all available methods available to these people did little to actually hide the problem, let alone offer any hope of a long-term solution.

The best these people could hope for was an approach that made their thinning hair less noticeable from a distance but wouldn’t hold up to closer scrutiny. Things have changed since the advent of the hair restoration clinics. The procedures performed at these centres and clinics have radically changed how people view medical hair restoration.

Individuals who visit hair restoration clinics and are treated by their doctors are able to look in the mirror and see a reflection they hadn’t in years and one they assumed they wouldn’t see again. It’s a shocking revelation for someone that had come to accept the fact that they’d be bald or have thinning hair for the rest of their life.

Not only does medical hair restoration change the way a person looks but it literally changes the way they approach the world as well. The restored confidence in individuals that had this procedure done is immeasurable. It has an amazing impact on their personal and professional lives. Anyone living with thinning hair should schedule a consultation (which can be free and, more importantly, completely confidential) with these clinics to learn about the options available to them.

Regrow Healthy Hair with Herbs

The earlier you treat hair loss, the better your chances are of growing your hair back. You can use natural treatments to stimulate hair growth and stop excessive hair shedding or hair thinning.

You can help revitalize your follicles and stimulate hair growth by massaging your scalp daily. This will increase the amount of blood flow to your scalp. The blood carries vitamins and nutrients to the roots where the strands are fed, so a healthy blood flow can help nourish both the strands and follicles. Another benefit of massaging your scalp is that it helps to get rid of dirt and bacteria which can clog the follicles and can prevent nutrients from penetrating your scalp.

You can try drinking the combined juice of spinach and lettuce. This concoction can stimulate hair growth. Similarly, you can drink the mixed juices of lettuce, carrot and alfalfa.

We all know that aloe vera contains properties that are great for healing our skin from cuts and burns. But did you know it contains enzymes that also promote hair growth? It is probably one of the best herbal remedies for hair regrowth.

Henna has been used for hundreds of years to stimulate hair growth in women. Aside from promoting healthy hair growth, henna is also good in preventing further hair loss. The herb has also been scientifically proven to bond well with other proteins which makes it a good natural hair loss treatment. To use it, crush the herb until its consistency has become that of a paste. Apply this directly to the hair and scalp and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing.

Aloe vera is known to not only help stop hair loss but also to encourage hair growth. The gel from the plant can be massaged directly onto your scalp to cleanse the pores, repair the damaged hair and create a balanced PH level. Leave the gel on your head for 1 hour before rinsing it off. You can also opt for over-the-counter aloe vera products that you can use to stop hair loss.

Jojoba oil has been used in Mexico and America for centuries to promote hair growth. It is a very good moisturizer and works well on the scalp; it contains properties similar to the benefits given off by sebum secreted by the scalp. Jojoba oil has also helps in controlling dandruff. It is also a safe treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and seborrhea.