wledge and Use of Finasteride for the Prevention of B & P state Cancer

wnloaded kground: The knowledge about and use of chemopreventive agents for prostate cancer by physicians t been described. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) showed that finasteride was effective in ng the incidence of prostate cancer. We examined the influence of the PCPT on finasteride prescribing the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). thods: We assessed trends on monthly new and total prescriptions for finasteride filled within the VHA January 2000 to December 2005. Additionally, all VHA urologists and a random sample of VHA ry care physicians (PCP) were surveyed about their use of finasteride. ults: The number of men starting finasteride grew over the study period. Publication of the PCPT was nificantly associated with any change in this pattern (P = 0.45). Fifty-seven percent of urologists and f PCPs endorsed prescribing finasteride more frequently in 2006 than 5 years prior. However, among who reported changing prescribing patterns, fewer than 2% reported being influenced by the PCPT. our percent of urologists and 80% of PCPs never prescribe finasteride for prostate cancer chemopren; 55% of urologists cited concerns of inducing high-grade tumors, whereas 52% of PCPs did not know d be used for chemoprevention. clusions: The number of men starting finasteride in the VHA increased over time, but the change did em to be due to increased use of finasteride for chemoprevention. Publication of the PCPT seemed to ittle influence over the study period. have l Impact: Physicians may not readily accept the use of chemopreventive agents for prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(9); 2164–71. ©2010 AACR.