Prostate Cancer Canada Network

In The News

Well-Done Meat Consumption May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk
Research into the dietary habits of about a thousand men from the Cleveland area has found that a high consumption of meats, especially of red meat prepared by grilling, is positively associated with an increased risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. This particular study, which was led by Dr. John Witte of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), has a number of limitations, but it does add support to other investigations connecting meat consumption with cancer risk.

Toronto researchers speculate regarding a link between prostate cancer and oral contraceptive use
Very preliminary and speculative research, designed to spark further inquires, suggests that there may be a connection between oral contraceptive use and rising rates of prostate cancer. One theory is that the widespread use of birth-control pills in various populations may result in a higher level of estrogen in the environment, which might, in turn, increase prostate cancer risk.

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Complementary Therapies

As well as following the treatments recommended by their doctors, many men diagnosed with prostate cancer seek to take control of their own health by investigating and using therapies that are outside the parameters of conventional medicine. These therapies are sometimes called complementary therapies because they add to or complement your primary treatments, which you arrange under the expert guidance of urologists, oncologists, surgeons, and family doctors.

If you are interested in pursuing complementary therapies, discuss plans with your medical team before you begin. Remember that many of our strongest medicines and poisons are derived from material that occurs in nature, so the word "natural" in front of a substance or treatment does not mean either "safe" or "beneficial." Besides, even something that would be harmless or beneficial in normal circumstances may interfere with your primary cancer treatment or be inadvisable for you in your special situation.

Only a few of these complementary therapies are discussed here. Men interested in this topic can find excellent and reputable information from the BC Cancer Agency's online book entitled Unconventional Therapies, edited by Saira Mithani and Beth Morrison or from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (an American institution belong to the National Institutes of Health). See the NCCAM online document entitled Cancer and Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Men in British Columbia can also visit the InspireHealth: Integrated Cancer Care (formerly the Centre for Integrated Healing), which is discussed in a Globe and Mail article reprinted on this site with permission. (See this article.)

NUTRITION THERAPY
Although much of the research in this area focuses on the possibility that changes in diet can prevent rather than treat prostate cancer, men with prostate cancer can benefit from following the dietary advice given in the prevention section of this website. Basically, research suggests that men with prostate cancer should follow a low fat, high fibre diet that incorporates many different vegetables and fruits, especially cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower and fruits and vegetables containing lycopene (e.g., tomatoes and watermelon).

GREEN TEA
There is preliminary evidence that green tea has anti-cancer properties and that an amino acid in green tea can enhance the anti-tumour effects of some forms of chemotherapy. Most studies to date have been conducted in laboratories rather than under "real-life" conditions, and many have been animal studies or have used human cancer cells outside of the body. Consequently, results may not apply to prostate cancer as it occurs beyond the lab.

VITAMIN THERAPY
Again, make sure that you talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements. Vitamins and minerals can act as antioxidants, substances helping to protect cells against the natural process of oxidation that can damage them. For prostate cancer, the vitamins and minerals of interest include vitamin E, selenium, vitamin D, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and zinc. Again, be sure to consult your physician before taking vitamins or other supplements as some vitamins and supplements at some doses might be dangerous or "counter-indicated" in some circumstances. In fact, research in 2007 has suggested that antioxidant or vitamin supplements, especially when taken at high doses, may be harmful.

For more information about dietary supplements consult these PCCN articles:

Supplements for prostate health: So what does work? April 14, 2009
Dietary Supplements: The Renewed Debate, January 20, 2008
Vitamin Supplements: Helpful or Harmful? May 30, 2007

MIND/BODY/SPIRIT THERAPIES
Various studies have alerted medical practitioners to the efficacy of treating the whole man, rather than a man's prostate cancer. For example, laughter has been shown to have therapeutic qualities. It can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormone levels, and, more important for cancer patients, boost immune responses and release the body's natural pain killers-endorphins. Relaxation techniques, imagery, meditation, prayer, and other spiritual practices can also assist the body in healing and can comfort men and their partners who are coping with the stress of prostate cancer. Of particular interest to PCCN is preliminary research suggesting that cancer patients have better survival rates when they are part of a support group.

To find a local support group, move your pointer over the “Support Group” button and then over “Find a Group Near You,” and click on the appropriate Canadian region.

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