ARMY AND AIR-FORCE LEADERSHIP IN THE PROSTATE-CANCER PREVENTION TRIAL

Prostate cancer is now the most common solid tumor in men in the Unite d States. Although the current public health approach to this disease is early diagnosis and treatment, investigations are also focusing on the possibility of disease prevention. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, begun in 1993, has completed recruitment of 18,000 men who will be randomized to receive either finasteride or placebo to determine i f finasteride can prevent the development of this disease. Both Army a nd Air Force institutions are participating in this trial, with four D epartment of Defense institutions contributing over 10% of the patient s randomized. The results of this study may have a major impact on act ive duty personnel for whom prevention of prostate cancer may become p ossible. (C) 1998, Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.