Faculty Opinions recommendation of The influence of finasteride on the development of prostate cancer.

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Abstract
The management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has often been divided into medical and surgical options. However, in 2015 the lines between the two are now more blurred. This has been driven by patients’ expectations of their treatments and new technology making treatments less invasive. Alpha-blockers, which cause relaxation of the smooth muscle fibers within the prostate, continue to be the first-line treatment. An alternative medication group are the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Large multicenter randomized controlled trials have shown the benefit of these medications in improving urinary symptoms (see {1}). However, evidence in relation to the side effects of these drugs has surfaced over the last few years. The most publicized came from this study, the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, where men on finasteride showed a possible increase in high-risk prostate cancer compared to those on placebo. The absolute difference in cancer rates was extremely low, and subsequent commentaries and analysis have aimed to disprove this {2}. This Recommendation is of an article referenced in an F1000 Faculty Review also written by Peter Gilling and Simon van Rij.

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