July 14, 2003 – Many men turn to alternative and complementary medicine (CAM) to prevent prostate cancer, but are more reluctant to do so when the time comes to treat the disease.
Just under 420 men with prostate cancer were asked about their use of 41 MACs, ranging from acupuncture to vitamin supplements. The current edition of the Journal of Urology reveals that 72% of respondents used one type of MAC or another before their diagnosis, as a preventive measure. Among the most popular therapies were vitamins D and E, saw palmetto and garlic supplements, prayer, music therapy, and meditation.
However, after the diagnosis, respondents’ enthusiasm for CAM seems to weaken somewhat, with only 19% of them still saying they use them. (By comparison, up to 40% of women with breast cancer turn to CAM.) In addition to saw palmetto and vitamin E, soy and selenium supplements were very popular at the time.
And as is often the case, many of these patients do not discuss their MAC use with their doctors, causing researchers to worry. In particular, they point out that saw palmetto supplements are not suitable for men with prostate cancer, even though they have been shown to be effective in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.
For his part, the famous American doctor Dean Ornish says that simple changes in lifestyle can slow down and even reverse the progression of prostate cancer. He asked 41 men with early cancer to eat a low-fat vegetarian diet fortified with soy supplements (a phytoestrogen) and antioxidants; adopt a moderate aerobic exercise program; learn a stress management technique; and start attending a support group. After a year, the disease, as measured by the level of prostate specific antigens (PSA) in the blood, had declined 5% among its participants, but increased by 1% in the control group. These results have not been published.
Other American researchers have also discovered that phytoestrogen supplements appear to reduce PSA levels by as much as 61%. Researchers who used an estrogen patch in a small study found a 95% reduction instead1.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to ACS News, HealthDay, Reuters Health, drkoop.com, BBC News; April 8, 9, 17 and 28, May 1 and July 14, 2003.
1. Ockrim JL, Lalani EN, Laniado ME, Carter SS, Abel PD. Transdermal estradiol therapy for advanced prostate cancer – forward to the past?J Urol 2003 May; 169 (5): 1735-7. [Consulté le 14 juillet 2003].
