Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a common form of cancer affecting 25000 thousand Canadian men a year. There is a growing body of evidence that shows that naturopathic and complementary medicine can offer effective treatment for this form of cancer. These naturopathic treatments can stand alone in some cases, or can be integrated into a plan of care which includes conventional therapies such as surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Dr. Denis’ approach to prostate cancer care is to put his patients first, and he gladly collaborates with oncologists and other medical professionals in treatment planning. Dr. Denis has experience tailoring his treatment protocols to work in conjunction with surgery (prostatectomy), hormone therapy (Zolodex, Leuprorelin, Casodex), and chemotherapy (Taxotere and others). He provides treatments that support the body and immune system and to work synergistically to enhance the effects of these conventional treatments.
Dr. Denis has treated prostate cancer of all stages(I-IV). There are naturopathic treatments indicated for all severities of cancer, with the goals of preventing disease progression, reversing disease, or improving quality of life. See detailed description below for more treatment information.
Dr. Denis has treated patients who are doing “watchful waiting” where there is prostate cancer present in the prostate but no conventional treatment options are given until the prostate cancer is deemed to be growing quickly or aggressively. In these cases, there are treatments which can slow down or reverse progression of the prostate disease. Some patients, who have had their prostate removed surgically, still see a rise in their PSA (Prostate Serum Antigen). This PSA rise can indicate the presence of cancer elsewhere in the body. Dr. Denis has treated stage 4 prostate cancer where it has often spread to the bone. In these cases, some of the integrative therapies he offers can provide relief from the pain associated with these bone metastases.
Dr. Denis uses a variety of modalities to treat prostate cancer including:
- intravenous therapies including mistletoe and intravenous vitamin C
- herbal medicine – there are a variety of herbal medicines that have shown anti-prostate cancer effects in studies
- mindfulness based emotional coping strategies
- diet and lifestyle changes – a diet high in fat and saturated fat is a risk factor for prostate cancer
- counselling for erectile dysfunction
Here is a small selection of the evidence base for naturopathic treatments of prostate cancer:
Isoflavones
In a study involving 100 men with elevated PSA levels, isoflavones derived from soy in combination with a herbal extract of the spice turmeric caused a significant decrease in the PSA of men receiving the treatment versus those receiving placebo.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=20503397%20
Green Tea Extract (EGCG)
In this study, men with confirmed prostate cancer were treated with a green tea extract for the time up until their prostatectomy (surgery to remove the prostate gland). In this short treatment period several blood tests showed significant decreases including PSA, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor, which is involved in blood vessel formation around cancer cells) and IGF (insulin-like growth factor, which has been shown to correlate with prostate cancer risk).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=19542190%20
Intravenous Vitamin C
In this in vitro study (a scientific study that looks at cancer cells grown in a test tube) high doses of vitamin C were shown to increase oxidative damage and cause necrotic death to a prostate cancer cell line. These high doses of vitamin C can only be achieved through intravenous administration.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=19254759%20
Mindfulness Meditation
Participants in this study who showed an improvement in their symptoms of anxiety and distress also showed an increase in their natural killer cell activity (NK Cell). NK cell activity has been shown to have anti-tumor affects and be associated with improved response. Mindfulness meditation has also been well studied in its effects on decreasing anxiety, protecting against depression, and improving quality of life.