Propecia Injury Settlement

by admin on February 17th, 2012

Although men who have used the hair loss pill are at risk of developing Propecia side effects involving male breast cancer, few realize their exposure. If you have been diagnosed with cancer or erectile dysfunction please contact us for the latest Propecia injury settlement news. One of the reasons is because the warning label in the U.S. does not mention the risk. It mentions that men may develop enlarged breasts (a condition called gynecomastia), and could possibly develop lumps or nipple discharge. But the label does not explicitly list breast cancer as a possible side effect.

The controversy surrounding the hair loss treatment has focused primarily on sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and lower semen production. To be sure, these are serious complications that have spurred some men to file Propecia lawsuit claims. But breast cancer in men can be life-threatening if it spreads extensively before it can be treated. Unfortunately, the disease is usually detected late. We’ll explain why below.

Male Breast Cancer Is Rare

The National Cancer Institute estimates that cases of male breast cancer represent less than 1 percent of all breast cancer cases. Furthermore, of those that are detected, most are found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. In short, the condition is rare among men.

Because breast cancer seldom displays in men, it is believed by many to be a disease that only affects women. This is clearly not the case. But the notion reduces the likelihood that men will conduct self-examinations to look for lumps or other abnormalities in their breast tissue. There is also less chance that men will visit their doctors each year to have a mammogram performed.

Even when there are signs of an abnormality in the breast tissue (e.g. lumps), many men ignore them, thinking they are unrelated to breast cancer. By the time testing is finally performed, and the disease is diagnosed, the cancer has often metastasized.

Size Of The Male Breast

The male breast is obviously smaller than the female breast. As a result, it is easier to detect lumps and other abnormalities that are present in the tissue. However, because there is less tissue, the tumor can spread beyond the breast more easily in men than it does in women. Tumors found in the male breast are often smaller than those found in the female breast. But the cancer often spreads further and more quickly before it is detected.

When At Risk Of Propecia Male Breast Cancer

Men who have used the hair loss pill may be at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Performing periodic self-examinations of the breast tissue, looking for tumors or other abnormalities, will help detect the disease before it has an opportunity to metastasize.

When the condition presents, there may be nipple discharge or a puckering of the skin. There may also be scaling evident on the skin. Although these symptoms do not necessarily signal the presence of cancer, they should prompt men to see their doctors for further evaluation.

Detecting The Disease Increases The Chance Of Survival

It is critical to diagnose and treat Propecia male breast cancer as early as possible since its prognosis is similar to breast cancer in women. The disease is staged in a similar fashion, with nearly identical survival rates at each stage.

When the cancer reaches stage 2, the 5-year survival rate is still a relatively high 84 percent. But by stage 3, the rate drops to 52 percent. By stage 4, the cancer has typically spread to the bone, liver, lungs, or brain. The disease is considered inoperable at this point, and the purpose of treatment is palliative rather than curative. Only 24 percent of patients are expected to live beyond five years.

Although breast cancer in men is very rare, it can become life-threatening if it is allowed to spread throughout the body. Detecting the disease and starting treatment as early as possible increases the patient’s chance of survival.

If you used this hair loss drug, and were later diagnosed with male breast cancer, you may be able to file a claim against the drug’s manufacturer. Contact a Propecia lawyer to discuss your case and for the latest Propecia injury settlement news.