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Below is some valuable information on the traditional treatments of prostate cancer. For an extensive review of all currently available modalities in the U.S. and abroad, including non-traditional therapies, please visit my section on the Moss Reports.
As with any cancer, prevention is
the best approach. Of
course before we can pursue prevention, we must know contributing
factors. Let’s look at
some of the risk factors with prostate cancer. The
first risk factor is something we can do nothing about: age.
Prostate cancer is extremely rare in men under the age of 50 and
rates increase exponentially after that.
In 1992, the rate per 100,000 was as follows. Age
Incidence 50-54
4 60-64
37 70-74
166 Genetics
play some role in risk of prostate cancer.
Specifically, around 9% of prostate cancers appear to be
familial. The
male hormone, testosterone, and its analogues are definitely involved in
the pathogenesis of prostate cancer.
The National Cancer Institute lists the following as support for
the role of male sex hormones in prostate cancer.
Dietary fat appears to play a role
in prostate cancer but studies are conflicting.
If dietary fat is a risk factor, it appears that saturated fat
from animal origins is a greater risk factor than unsaturated fat from
vegetable origin. The
mechanism by which fat may be involved in prostate cancer has been
hypothesized. First,
dietary fat increases serum levels of male sex hormones (androgens).
Some studies indicate that omega 3 oils (fish oil, flaxseed oil)
may actually prevent prostate cancer..
Finally, many studies have found that there is a relationship
between the amount of fat eaten by the mother during pregnancy and the
later development of prostate cancer in her male offspring. Previous
articles have outlined the benefits of eating a Mediterranean style
diet, consisting of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and
olive oil. This type of
diet has benefits for cardiovascular health, and appears to be advisable
for prevention of cancers of all types.
Finally, there is some evidence that exposure to pesticides and heavy metals may be a risk factor for prostate cancer. Specifically there may be a relationship between dioxin (a contaminant of herbicides) and prostate cancer. Likewise, the metal cadmium found in NiCad batteries is suspect. Workers in plants that manufacture or recycle these batteries should take extreme precautions to prevent exposure. |
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"Alternative Cancer Treatments"
Michael Guthrie,
R.Ph. CGP 2003-2006
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