Natural Treatments for
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a frightening condition that is on the back of every man’s mind at some point in his lifetime. However, the statistics are not as bad as they think. Research shows that one in six American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. The good news is, only three percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer die from the condition. This proves that while the word “cancer” is always a cause for concern, prostate cancer is not as deadly as some may think. It is important to understand that many doctor’s that deal with this condition often “scare” people into very aggressive treatments before attempting other options.
Scientists discovered that seventy-five percent of men diagnosed with mild prostate cancer had either radiation, surgery or both treatments, as shown in the study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. What this shows us is that both physicians and their patients have little understanding of this disease. What is most upsetting is the fact that traditional medical approaches fail to look at natural treatments for prostate cancer.
Understanding the Facts about Treatments for Prostate Cancer
For any kind of cancer, there is no one treatment that is the ultimate “cure.” Researchers are finding that if prostate cancer has not spread and caught early, no evidence can be found that radiation or surgery are more effective than anything else. Also, both can have complications and side-effects. It has not been shown to increase life expectancy and with less aggressive cancer, has not been proven to be any more effective than just “watching and waiting.” Many medical professionals, including myself, believe that only using the aggressive conventional oncology treatments put patients at risk if their cancer is “non-aggressive.” There are plenty of natural treatments that are proven to be effective in the treatment and prevention of prostate cancer. These treatments include:
Lifestyle Changes While “Watching and Waiting”
Some men may try to “watch and wait” before attempting surgery or killing off the prostate gland completely with high doses of radiation. It is important to make the necessary lifestyle changes during this time to slow the progression of the disease. It is important to research some of the “non-invasive” and safe treatments that can be very effective before making a decision. On the top of the list are lifestyle modifications! One study showed that ninety-three percent of men with “low-risk” prostate cancer tried “watching and waiting” with no radiation or surgery tried these lifestyle changes; vegetarian diet, exercise program, nutritional supplementation, support groups and some form of meditation or yoga. There was a control group that made no lifestyle modifications. In a year’s time, the men who made the changes had a lower PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) than the men who didn’t do anything. It was also shown that men who modified their lifestyle showed up to eight times tumor inhibition and slowed growth. The men in the control group needed regular treatment after a year because of the progression of the disease.
Increase Beneficial Supplements
Certain nutrients given to the patient’s in the study showed promising results in slowing the progression of the disease.
Vitamin E
Blood tests revealed that men who had adequate levels of vitamin E had less incidence of developing prostate cancer than men with lower levels. Vitamin E has powerful antioxidant properties. Recommended Daily Intake: 600 IU to 1,600 IU
Vitamin C
Another vitamin with antioxidant properties. Recommended Daily Intake: 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Studies show that a diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids can help reduce the incidence of cancer in the body. Recommended Daily Intake: 2,000 mg to 8,000 mg Fish Oil Supplement
Soy
Soy and soy products can help lower cancer risk. Studies done in Japan showed that men who ate at least 90 mg daily of soy isoflavones had a 58 percent lower risk of prostate cancer. Recommended Daily Intake: 2 to 3 servings weekly
Selenium
Selenium can help improve the health of the prostate. Recommended Daily Intake: 200 mcg
Modified Citrus Pectin May Prevent Cancer from Spreading
Cancer that has spread is known as “metastatic cancer.” This means it has left the original site and spread throughout the body. When prostate cancer stays inside the prostate, there really isn’t a problem until it leaves the prostate and spreads to other organs. Metastatic cancer occurs when cancer cells attach themselves to healthy cells in the body and start forming their own blood supply. The blood supply feeds the cancer oxygen and nutrients helping it move into the rest of the body. Modified Citrus Pectin or MCP prevents cancer cells from forming their own blood supply. In prostate cancer, a chemical known as “Prostate Specific Antigen” or PSA doubles faster as the cancer becomes more aggressive. One study showed that seventy percent of men who used MCP for one year had a slower doubling time of their PSA. There is also evidence that Modified Citrus Pectin helps the body produce more natural killer cells that help kill off dangerous cancer cells in the body. MCP has also been shown to clear toxins and heavy metals from the body.
Natural Treatments for Prostate Cancer
Vitamin D
More and more research is focusing on vitamin D as a cancer prevention therapy. For general good health, your vitamin D levels should be between 50 and 80 ng/ml. If it is not within that range, your doctor may want to put you on a vitamin D supplement.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is high in Omega 3 and lignans that help hormones metabolize properly, prevent cancer cells from forming their own blood supply and help fight free radicals. Recommended daily intake is about ¼ cup ground flaxseeds per day.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a chemical in tomatoes, red vegetables and red fruits. This is a powerful antioxidant that can help lower cancer risk and progression. A good source is low-sodium V8 juice. Recommended intake is eight to twelve ounces daily. You can also eat more tomatoes in foods and cooking to reap the benefits of lycopene.
Pomegranate juice
According to a study done at UCLA, drinking eight ounces of pomegranate juice daily can lengthen the doubling time of the PSA from fifteen months to four and a half years.
Treatments for Advanced Prostate Cancer
There are times when prostate cancer is too advanced for natural therapies and medical treatment will be required. Some of the options are medication, surgery and/or radiation therapy. Prior to surgical intervention, doctors may try a medication called Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN). This medication is actually pretty inexpensive and has little reported adverse effects. It has been found to have some dramatic results on slowing the growth of cancer. This medication works better if men have not taken any types of hormone medications. There is a resource for men who have very advanced prostate cancer to find the best treatments available. Contact the Cancer Control Society for more information on finding a good alternative cancer clinic near you.
Prostate Cancer: A Condition You Can Live With
The good news is that prostate cancer is mostly a slow-progressing disease that is very manageable. If you find out you have prostate cancer and you’re at an early stage of the disease, find out from your doctor if you can try alternative therapies. Natural treatments for prostate cancer and lifestyle modifications can help you manage your disease while you “watch and wait” with your doctor. For most men, they die with prostate cancer at an old age and not because they have prostate cancer.