Prostate cancer: safe and effective alternatives to invasive surgery and chemo

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting men in the western world and the statistics make worrying reading. The condition kills over 10,000 British men each year and, alarmingly, 50 per cent of men having their prostate gland removed are left impotent (Cancer Research Campaign Factsheet, 1994).

As the cancer grows it often causes warning signs because of the prostate glands strategic position within your body. Your prostate is a small walnut-sized gland located at the base of your bladder that surrounds your urethra the tube that carries urine from your bladder.

Because of its position near the bladder, any enlargement can soon obstruct your urinary flow. You may experience dribbling after urinating, have a frequent feeling of needing to urinate or have a weak urine stream. Other signs include frequent urinary infections, blood in your urine or a feeling that your bladder does not empty properly.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above you should see your doctor straight away. Its important to be aware that these symptoms are also common in a non-cancerous condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) enlargement of the prostate, which affects most men over the age of 65 to some degree.

Speak to your doctor about all the treatment options available before agreeing to surgery

Your doctor will probably conduct one or more of the following tests to help him make a diagnosis:

A PSA (Prostatic Specific Antigen) blood test can reveal whether you have high levels of this chemical in your blood. However, dont panic if your PSA level is high, as this can indicate problems other than cancer including BPH or a prostate infection.

Scans such as CT (computerised axial tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) help detect tumours and show how big they are and if theyve spread to other areas of your body.

Treatment is normally determined by how extensive the cancer is, and may simply involve what is known as watchful waiting to see how the cancer develops. A more aggressive treatment may be offered later on if necessary, such as an operation to remove your prostate. However, surgery can cause unpleasant side effects such as impotence and incontinence. Other options are chemotherapy or radiotherapy but they are not without their side effects either these include hair loss, severe diarrhoea, weakening of the immune system and widespread infections.

Fortunately there are numerous complementary treatments which have been found to be extremely effective against the disease.

Stem the growth of cancerous cells and reduce the size of your prostate

The bark of Pygeum africanum a large tree that grows at high altitudes in Africa is a rich source of sterols and other compounds such as triterpenoids, which have been found to reduce swelling and inflammation of the prostate (Phytotherapy 68(3): 205-218, 1997).

Scientists from the Philipps University in Marburg, in Germany, have found that pygeum contains a special chemical called dichloromethane, which prevents the production of testosterone large amounts of this hormone encourage cancer cells to grow and develop (Schleich S, Papaioannou M, Baniahmad A, Matusch R. Planta Med. 2006;72(9):807-13). The recommended dosage for pygeum is 100mg to 200mg a day. 

Saw palmetto is another rich source of sterols, which block the production of DHT a potent hormone which stimulates the growth of the prostate gland (Prostate 43(1): 49-58, 2000; Can Pharm J, 1997:130(9) 37-44). It also blocks the effect of male hormones such as testosterone and relaxes the muscle fibres within the prostate, allowing urine to flow more easily through the urethra. The recommended dosage is 160-240mg of saw palmetto extract, taken twice a day.

Another effective remedy against prostate cancer is a member of the carotenoid family called astaxanthin. It helps your body produce more immune-boosting chemicals like interferon, which attacks and destroys cancerous cells. The recommended dose is 1mg twice a day.

US researchers from the Research and Development, Triarco Industries, Wayne, have discovered that astaxanthin is far more effective when taken alongside saw palmetto. This combination was found to prevent the spread of prostate cancer by up to 38 per cent (Anderson ML. J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(1):17-26).

3 additional ways to lower your risk of prostate cancer

 Why tomatoes could protect you from the disease. Lycopene, the pigment that causes the red colour in tomatoes, plays a major role in maintaining the health of the prostate gland. A recent study suggested that lycopene supplements could reduce the growth of prostate cancer. Patients scheduled for prostate removal received a 15mg lycopene supplement twice a day for three weeks. They experienced an average 20 per cent drop in their PSA levels and their tumours began to shrink (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2001; 10: 861-8).

Make tomatoes a regular part of your diet, preferably cooked and with added olive oil in order to increase the amount of lycopene you absorb. Alternatively, you can take a supplement of 30mg a day.

 Eat more Brazil nuts to keep prostate cancer at bay. US researchers from Stanford University released study findings in 2001 showing that men with low blood levels of the trace mineral selenium are four to five times more likely to develop prostate cancer than men with normal levels of the mineral (J Urology 2001; 166: 2034-8).

In an earlier 10-year trial, involving over 1,300 people, those taking 200mcg of selenium daily halved their risk of dying from cancers of the prostate, lung, colon and rectum (J. Am. Med. Assoc. 276(24): 1957-63, 1996). Brazil nuts have a very high selenium level, with fish, shellfish and turkey providing good levels too. Selenium supplements are also available take 200mcg a day.

 Zinc is an essential nutrient for good prostate health. The prostate gland contains more of the trace mineral zinc than any other organ in the body. Supplementing with this mineral can help reduce the symptoms of BPH and help fight prostate cancer too.

One study found that zinc prevented cancerous cells from thriving when they incubated human prostate carcinoma cells with zinc this showed a 50 per cent inhibition of cell growth. Researchers attributed decreased cell growth to apoptosis (programmed cell death), concluding that the inability to retain high zinc levels is an important factor in the development and progression of malignant prostate cells (Prostate 1999; 40 (3): 200-207).

Take 60mg of zinc a day for the first 6 months, then reduce to 15-30mg a day. Vitamin B6 is essential for the proper absorption of zinc, so take 50mg of this nutrient at the same time.