Some Good Prostate Cancer News

ScienceDaily (July 29, 2009) — Investigators at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), along with collaborating teams at the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Michigan, have completed the first large- scale, multi-institutional study of prostate cancer death after standard treatment to remove the prostate since PSA screening has become widely used as a method to screen for the disease.

In the study, published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers found that in a group of 12,677 men who had radical prostatectomies between 1987 and 2005, the fifteen-year mortality rate that could be directly linked to prostate cancer was only 12 percent, even though many of the patients' cancers had aggressive features. Comparatively, the rate of non- cancer-related death in this group was 38 percent. A small fraction, 4 percent, of patients treated surgically within the past ten years had a 5 percent or greater risk of dying of prostate cancer within 15 years. It is not clear at this time whether the outcomes may be related to the effectiveness of surgery and any secondary therapy, or to the low lethality of certain types of prostate cancers to begin with.

"The importance of this paper is that it shows a remarkably low risk of dying of prostate cancer within 15 years for treated men, and supports the concept that men with slow-growing cancers may not need immediate treatment," said senior author Peter Scardino, Chair of the Department of Surgery at MSKCC. "Further good news is that surgery was very effective in preventing death in men with aggressive cancers--defined as those with a high PSA, poorly differentiated with a Gleason grade of 8-10, or locally extensive," Dr. Scardino added.

Not all prostate cancers progress the same way. Many cancers pose little or no threat to life and health, while others grow aggressively and are resistant to treatment. The key is to determine which cancers are "favorable" or ones likely to remain relatively dormant. According to Dr. Scardino, "Currently, there are a number of tools physicians have to help determine the probable course of prostate cancer, but more accurate ones are needed."

Dr. Scardino and colleagues have formulated and pioneered the use of validated statistical models, or nomograms, that help predict the natural progression of prostate cancer and how it will respond to treatment. These nomograms help tailor treatment for men according to the specific characteristics of their cancer. The prostate cancer nomograms are currently the most widely used, disease-specific prediction tool in oncology.

In addition to the nomogram, physicians may use PSA testing, Gleason grade, MRI scans, and multiple biopsies to determine which cancers are likely to be favorable and which are not. While there are tools and models available now to help predict survival, Dr. Scardino and his fellow authors encourage future research to pinpoint better markers specifically associated with the biology of lethal prostate cancer.

"In the future, what we'd like is to be able to do a molecular or genetic analysis of prostate tumor cells to see if they have the capacity to spread, so that we can ask, does your tumor have that capacity? If not, it would be safe to watch," said Dr. Scardino.

As part of the study, 12,677 patients treated with radical prostatectomy between 1987 and 2005 were tracked. Of these patients, 6,398 underwent radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer at either MSKCC or Baylor College of Medicine, with 809 (13%) receiving neoadjuvant androgen-deprivation therapy for an average of 3.2 months. External validation of the nomogram was performed on 4,103 patients treated at Cleveland Clinic and 2,176 patients treated at University of Michigan during the same period.

Prostate biopsy specimens were reviewed by pathologists at each institution before surgery. In general, patients were followed for disease recurrence post operatively with regular PSA tests and clinical exams at three to six month intervals for the first five years, and then annually. The year of surgery was also a consideration, as methods and effectiveness have changed over the years.

While prostate cancer death rates have been dropping over the past decade, according to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that there were 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2008 and 28,660 deaths from the disease.

Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic, University of Michigan, and Baylor College of Medicine contributed to this study. The work was supported by SPORE grants awarded to MSKCC and the University of Michigan by the National Cancer Institute and by the David Koch Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The Detox Treatment

Modern day life has resulted in an exponential increase in our exposure to chemicals, drugs and pollutants. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics, over dependence on alcohol and a fast lifestyle have all contributed to making out bodies unhealthy. The modern generation seems to have forgotten that to get to the top of the rat race we need a healthy mind coupled with a healthy body.

Our body’s detoxification system comprises of the digestive and urinary systems, skin, lungs and liver. It is a perfect system in which the organs supplement and complement each other. There is, however, a limit to how much it can be stretched.

What happens is this. The frontline defense of the intestines is broken due to the large quantities of toxins that enter our body. This intake can happen through food, exposure to the environment, drinking water and other points of contact. The breakdown of the function of the intestines leads to a condition where the liver needs to work more than its capacity.

Over time, if the level of toxins is not reduced, the toxins start to leak out of the intestinal walls into the blood stream. And a situation like this causes diseases like bowel toxaemia (blood poisoning caused by bacterial toxic substances in the blood) and candidiasis (an infection caused by fungi). These diseases are characterized by symptoms like diabetes, chronic constipation, vaginal thrush, loss of libido and increase in blood cholesterol.

Though you may find many quick remedies being advertised, the process of detox treatment needs a holistic approach. A detox product can of help only if it is taken as a supplementary treatment and as part of an overall detox program.

Some natural detox treatments include fasting. Fasting is a natural process for cleaning the colon of toxic substances and this has been used in different societies across the world. For people who cannot fast, a fruit juice diet can also help in cleansing the colon.

Herbal detox remedies include herbal tablets for liver cleansing. Organic diets in conjunctions with herbal treatments help in getting rid of the yeast that cause candidiasis.

A detox treatment is much more than just popping in a detox product. It is almost a lifestyle that you need to lead to rid your body of all the impurities that have been accumulating over the years. It is also pertinent that you continue the process of a detox diet even after you have cleansed your system once. This is essential since the yeast and toxins can reappear due to contact with the environment.

In context of natural detox remedies, implies a regulated diet that is organic in nature. Some of the precautions that are recommended for an effective detox treatment would include the following:

* Preservatives - Avoid foods that contain preservatives. A close look at the label can tell you if the food contains preservative or not.
* Sugar – Avoid sugar consumption. If you cannot avoid it totally, limit the consumption.
* Fresh is the best - Certain food items require to be kept at low temperatures. Such products are best bought directly from the store rather than home delivered.
* Pure water - Stick to filtered or bottled water.
* Keep your household free of chemical pollutants.
* Learn about organic foods and try to use them as much as possible.
* Exercise - It is one of the best detox remedies as it helps to burn toxins in the body.
* Dentistry - Choose a holistic dentist who will ensure that no mercury amalgam is used.

Article courtesy of Native Remedies:

Herbs For Immune System To Improve Health

The human body is a complex system of actions and reactions where each organ, gland and body system has a dedicated role. The immune system acts as a sort of a watch dog and comes into action the moment there is something wrong with the body, a bacterial invasion, for example.

Simply said, your immune system is your body’s own physician that protects against a wide range of disease causing antigens. It is obvious that immune system health is a primary factor that affects your overall health.

The quick fix solution provided by the antibiotic alternative for treating even self healing conditions and its indiscriminate use has resulted in the development of drug resistant bacteria. In addition, new strains of bacteria are developing as they undergo various mutations around us.

Herbs provide a natural defense against bacteria, even those that have developed resistance to antibiotic drugs. Moreover, an increased use of herbal antibiotics can go a long way in restricting indiscriminate use of antibiotic drugs, thus ensuring that the drugs will still be effective when we really need them. For example, aloe, garlic and grapefruit seed extract are very effective in defending the body from Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and salmonella. Other herbs that have proven antibiotic effects include goldenseal myrrh, usnea and arctostaphylos uva-ursi.

Similarly, there are other properties that lie hidden in many herbs that need to be explored. Astragalus membranaceus is a plant that survives even the harshest winter. Known as huang qi, it has been an integral part of traditional Chinese herbs for immune system. It works on the immune system as a tonic while improving lung, adrenal gland and gastrointestinal functions. In addition it improves metaboilsm, increases sweating, helps in healing and counters fatigue.

Allopathic drugs including antibiotics are based on a solitary compound and thus target a specific disease or infection. Herbs, on the other hand, have a composite structure and contain complex compounds. Common sage (Salvia officinalis), for example has been recommended for virtually every ailment and there exists evidence of its effectiveness in many disorders including the Alzheimer’s disease.

The immune system of the body is the first line of defense against foreign substances and organisms. Its dedicated function is comprises recognizing and ultimatley destroying harmful foreign substances. The immune system is also easily impaired.

The easily identifiable factors that weaken the immune system are depression and physical and emotional stress. An improper diet, alcoholism, recreational drugs, common drugs, especially antibiotics and steroids and a physically unfit body can also cause long term harm.

The occurrence of a disease is not by itself an indication of a weakened immune system. However, recurrent conditions like infections, frequent depressive episodes and cold and sore throat are indications of a weak immune system.

Herbs for immune system have been part and parcel of traditional therapies and modern homoepathy. At the same time, herbs have an intrinsic nature of being effective only in recommended doses. Some of the herbs are extremely toxic in their undiluted form and special attention must be paid to it.

Article courtesy of Native Remedies

Natural Prostate Cancer Treatments

July 10, 2009 | By admin In Prostate Cancer, Prostate Health

- If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you might be wondering about non-medical treatments to attack this disease. Though many controversial natural cures exist, we’ll look at some of the more common below.

Acupuncture – This ancient Chinese practice has taken off in the western world, and many people believe that it can help cure prostate cancer as well as take away any of the symptoms (such as trouble urinating, pain/burning sensation in the prostate gland, or erectile dysfunction.) During acupuncture, “pressure points” are targeted by an acupuncture specialist using needles that are inserted into the top layer of the patient’s skin. The process is relatively painless (though some have reported discomfort) and is increasing in popularity as many eschew the medical practices of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy to attack prostate cancer.

Diet Regimens – There are many holistic healers that tout various foods as having cancer attacking properties. Some of these include tomatoes, fish, berries, tea, and even water! Not surprisingly, there are multitudes of books devoted to the subject of how to cure cancer (including prostate cancer) via the diet. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are looking for an alternative remedy, be cautious before picking just any diet regimen. Try to find one with some supporting evidence, or ask other prostate cancer patients and survivors if they’ve tried the methods. That way, you won’t be gambling with your health.

Vitamins – Again, there are tons of proponents who say that taking certain vitamins can actually cure cancer. These vitamins can be found in both pill and food forms and, like diet regimens, the exact “recipe” changes depending upon whom you ask. If you want to try a vitamin treatment for your prostate cancer, it will behoove you to do a great deal of research on the topic before determining which is right for you.

Finally, always remember that your medical physician may actually be able to help you with some information on natural methods to heal your prostate cancer. It’s a fallacy that all doctors are “against” homeopathic remedies; in actuality, many have recommended them for their patients.

I hope that you found this information on natural treatments for prostate cancer cures.

Prostate Information To Back My Diet & Exercise Article

July 16, 2009 | By admin In Prostate Gland, Prostate Health

- Concern over the side effects and physical trauma (not to mention the efficacy) of traditional surgical methods to heal the body has created a whole industry devoted to holistic health alternatives that don’t involve prescription medications or invasive procedures. This means that for men concerned about their prostrate health, there are plenty of natural options available to keep this walnut-sized gland functioning properly.

Diet – One of the best approaches to a healthy prostate is to maintain a good diet plan. It can be as strict as you prefer – some eschew meat and feel it is unnecessary and fouls up the bowels, thus creating stress for the prostate gland. Others simply recommend a diet high in fiber, low in fat, and generally well-rounded. Whatever you’re most comfortable with is the diet you should follow.

Exercise – There’s nothing better than a brisk walk (or jog, if you’re able) to increase the blood flow and stimulate the health of your prostate. Most holistic healers recommend a lifestyle that includes plenty of exercise; unless you’re a “gym rat” now, you’re probably not getting enough of the good stuff. Ramp up your exercise routine by getting outside and doing yard work, lifting weights, skiing, hiking, or enjoying a host of other heart-pumping activities. Even traditional physicians herald this approach to keeping all your bodily organs, including the prostate, in tip-top shape.

Supplements – Naturopathic doctors often recommend taking supplements as a way to boost your prostate health. However, there’s no one “recipe” as far as vitamins and minerals go; therefore, you’ll need to find the one that works best for you. By visiting your local healthy foods grocer, you can find some supplement packages and test them out. (And most health food stores also have a library section so you can read up on the supplements before buying them.)

Remember that there are many different ways to help your prostrate health. And in the process, you’ll probably ramp up your physical and emotional bliss, too.

Green Tea May Slow Prostate Cancer

ScienceDaily (June 22, 2009) —
According to results of a study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, men with prostate cancer who consumed the active compounds in green tea demonstrated a significant reduction in serum markers predictive of prostate cancer progression.

"The investigational agent used in the trial, Polyphenon E (provided by Polyphenon Pharma) may have the potential to lower the incidence and slow the progression of prostate cancer," said James A. Cardelli, Ph.D., professor and director of basic and translational research in the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport.

Green tea is the second most popular drink in the world, and some epidemiological studies have shown health benefits with green tea, including a reduced incidence of prostate cancer, according to Cardelli. However, some human trials have found contradictory results. The few trials conducted to date have evaluated the clinical efficacy of green tea consumption and few studies have evaluated the change in biomarkers, which might predict disease progression.

Cardelli and colleagues conducted this open-label, single-arm, phase II clinical trial to determine the effects of short-term supplementation with green tea's active compounds on serum biomarkers in patients with prostate cancer. The biomarkers include hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and prostate specific antigen (PSA). HGF and VEGF are good prognostic indicators of metastatic disease.

The study included 26 men, aged 41 to 72 years, diagnosed with prostate cancer and scheduled for radical prostatectomy. Patients consumed four capsules containing Polyphenon E until the day before surgery — four capsules are equivalent to about 12 cups of normally brewed concentrated green tea, according to Cardelli. The time of study for 25 of the 26 patients ranged from 12 days to 73 days, with a median time of 34.5 days.

Findings showed a significant reduction in serum levels of HGF, VEGF and PSA after treatment, with some patients demonstrating reductions in levels of greater than 30 percent, according to the researchers.

Cardelli and colleagues found that other biomarkers were also positively affected. There were only a few reported side effects associated with this study, and liver function remained normal.

Results of a recent year-long clinical trial conduced by researchers in Italy demonstrated that consumption of green tea polyphenols reduced the risk of developing prostate cancer in men with high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN).

"These studies are just the beginning and a lot of work remains to be done, however, we think that the use of tea polyphenols alone or in combination with other compounds currently used for cancer therapy should be explored as an approach to prevent cancer progression and recurrence," Cardelli said.

William G. Nelson, V., M.D., Ph.D., professor of oncology, urology and pharmacology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, believes the reduced serum biomarkers of prostate cancer may be attributable to some sort of benefit relating to green tea components.

"Unfortunately, this trial was not a randomized trial, which would have been needed to be more sure that the observed changes were truly attributable to the green tea components and not to some other lifestyle change (better diet, taking vitamins, etc.) men undertook in preparation for surgery," added Nelson, who is also a senior editor for Cancer Prevention Research. However, "this trial is provocative enough to consider a more substantial randomized trial."

In collaboration with Columbia University in New York City, the researchers are currently conducting a comparable trial among patients with breast cancer. They also plan to conduct further studies to identify the factors that could explain why some patients responded more dramatically to Polyphenon E than others. Cardelli suggested that additional controlled clinical trials should be done to see if combinations of different plant polyphenols were more effective than Polyphenon E alone.

"There is reasonably good evidence that many cancers are preventable, and our studies using plant-derived substances support the idea that plant compounds found in a healthy diet can play a role in preventing cancer development and progression," said Cardelli.

Pollen Extract To Treat CP/CPPS

A pollen extract may be an effective treatment for inflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), a study suggests.

The study, led by Florian M.E. Wagenlehner, MD, of Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany, included 139 men with inflammatory NIH category III CP/CPPS. The investigators randomly assigned 70 patients to receive cernitin pollen extract (two capsules every eight hours) and 69 men to receive placebo for 12 weeks. They evaluated subjects using the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI).

Compared with the placebo arm, the pollen extract group experienced significant improvement in NIH-CPSI pain and quality-of-life domain scores and in total score, according to a report in European Urology (2009; published online ahead of print). The researchers observed a treatment response—defined as a decrease in the NIH-CPSI score by at least 25% or at least six points—in 70.6% of the pollen extract recipients versus 50% of the placebo arm.

As a result of study findings, the authors said the pollen extract can be recommended for patients with CP/CPPS in the dosage and duration studied.