Small reader survey finds one in four respondents take metformin, the diabetes med
Even though they don't have diabetes
By Howard Wolinsky
The Active Surveillor Quick Poll found that 25 percent of respondents take metformin, the common medication for diabetes, to try to prevent the progression of prostate cancer.
The unscientific poll of about 20 respondents was conducted in connection with an article in TheActiveSurveillor.com about whether metformin helps prevent prostate cancer and progression of prostate cancer. Read more: https://howardwolinsky.substack.com/p/does-metformin-prevent-prostate-cancer
All of the respondents had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, with two-thirds having been diagnosed with low-risk Gleason 3+3 lesions and the remainder diagnosed with Gleason 4+3 or higher.
None of the respondents had been diagnosed with type-2 diabetes.
12.5% also had had heart attacks. Diabetes, heart attacks, and prostate cancer are all inflammatory diseases.
38% had been diagnosed with prostate cancer for 10 or more years, 31% for two to five years, and 25% for five to nine years.
Should you take metformin as a preventative as some leading doctors recommend even for men who have not been diagnosed with prostate cancer?
Some, such as Mark Moyad, MD, of the University of Michigan (Go Blue), routinely recommend metformin for the prostate along with aspirin for its heart benefits for some and statins for cholesterol control as a way to fend off the inflammatory risks even in men who have no prostate cancer issues.
BONUS round: Research has shown metformin may have other benefits. Everyday Health reports: “Metformin has established itself as the medication of choice when it comes to the first-line treatment of type 2 diabetes. In addition to lowering blood sugar, the medication may extend lives, lower heart risks, lower high blood pressure, and provide other health benefits.”
TheActiveSurveillor recommends that you ask your doctor. The respondents reported zero side effects from metformin.
If you want to respond to the Quick Survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TDZ88B3.
Watch TheActiveSurveillor.com on Monday for a poignant first-person account of the decision of a man on AS with low-risk risk prostate cancer who finds he has a genetic mutation that leads him to make a hard decision.
If you have questions, write to Howard@TheActiveSurveillor.com