Dear Jimsy, Eddie & Forum Members,

Thank you for your posting on this supportive Forum.

I wonder what age you are, Jimsy?

When I was almost 76 (in July 2021), I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCA) following an MRI scan and subsequent  biopsy arranged by the ProstateTeam at a hospital in W.London.  In the grounds of the hospital is the famous "MAGGIES" - our new Queen Camilla visited their founding premises in Scotland last year.  About 15 members of "MAGGIES" meet up on the first Monday of each month to discuss their sitiuations with drinks and refreshments available (without charge).

I had been monitoring my PSA Blood Test results since the end of 2013 (when at that time it was about 2 μg/L) because a friend had told me about keeping an eye out for raised results.  I think that in past years, some GPs may not have always gone looking for prostate problems so much.

In May 2021 - June 2023, my PSA was averaging at about 6.2 μg/L then in October 2023, it rose to 7.09 μg/L  but this was followed by 5.93 μg/L in March 2024.   However, in May this year, it rose to 8.20 μg/L and I am having a repeat test in 7 days time at my GP Surgery.

In late 2021, I was going to have "HIFU" but at the last minute (literally - I was in my hospital gown!), the surgeon suggested that there might be the option of "Active Surveillance" instead as my problem was confined within the prostate perimeter.  I decided not to go ahead with the HIFU after all.  I was not in any event keen on having to have a catheter fitted, although I heard later at "MAGGIES" that patients have usually managed to tolerate this.

As I was not having any treatment at all, I researched the Internet for any possible herbs that might help reduce the unwanted proliferation of PCA cells and I read various scientific studies that have been published on the Web - printing off hundreds of pages!

Amongst the 40 odd herbs I presently take daily are:

Rosemary, Curcumin, Ginger, Green Tea, Berberine, Baicalein (Chinese), Oregano, Sulforaphan (Broccoli), Cayenne Pepper (Capsaicin), Mushrooms - Turkeytail/Shiitake/Chaga/Cordyceps/Maitake, Astragaloside IV, Betulinic Acid, MSM, Bilberry, Boswelia Serrata, Saffron, Willow Herb, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Beta-Sitosterol, Bromelain, Rosehip. Pygeum. Lypocene, Saw Palmetto, Modified Citrus Pectin, Stinging Nettle, Parsley, Garlic, Cinnamon, Milk Thistle and also Red Reishi Mushroom, Spearmint and Liquorice Root (the last three to lessen Testosterone).

I only hope that some of them might be making my body resist the rogue cells proliferating.  There does not seem to be any research done into herbal effects on PCA carried out by medical bodies in England.

As can be seen reading through the postings on the Forum, side effects from various treatments can be stressful.   Hopefully, some kind of immunotherapy can be employed for PCA avoiding Radiotherapy and ADT one day.  I don't know if the newer Proton Beam is available for PCA under the NHS which perhaps reduces damage to surrounding normal cells?

Regards, Victor  29th May 2024.

.

Hi Victor and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry to hear you were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021 but I'm glad the active surveillance has been going well.

Although taking herbal supplements in general can be harmless, it is important to be aware that some can cause harmful side effects. Or they may interact with medical treatment. 

So far, there is no reliable evidence from human studies that herbal remedies can treat, prevent or cure any type of cancer. However, some high quality research is looking into complementary therapies to help people with cancer. 

If you haven't don't so already do make your GP/medical team aware of what you are taking, so they can make sure you stay safe and in case any treatment is needed in the future.

We're thinking of you Victor and wishing you all the best with your repeat test next week.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thank you very much for your posting responses Eddie and Steph.

Processed Foods:  It seems that almost everything is "processed".  I am vegetarian as much as possible in that I do not eat meat or fowl or fish anymore.  I last ate meat about 60 years ago!  I do have a bag of chips from McD or KFC once a week when I meet up with a friend on a Saturday and I add a little salt, otherwise I mostly consume vegetables such as broccoli, onions, tomatoes, carrots, black olives, broad beans, brown bread, croquette potatoes (cooked in the oven with pepper only, no added salt) but I do have packet minestrone soups with grated parmesan cheese.  I am not sure which is these would be a problem exactly? 

Steph, I have informed my GP and Hospital Surgeon that I am taking all these herbs.  A few of them also lower Diabetes levels (I have type 2 Diabetes) but so far, I seem to have tolerated all of the herbs without upsets as far as I know.

It is authoratively stated on the Web that there is no reliable evidence from human studies that herbs can help us and I expect that almost all of the scientific studies I have come across only refer to laboratory studies including with mice.  The following text is on the Web relating to one of my chosen herbs "Willow Herb":

"Extracts from Epilobium sp. herbs have been traditionally used in the treatment of prostate-associated ailments. Our studies demonstrated that the extracts from Epilobium angustifolium, Epilobium parviflorum and Epilobium hirsutum herbs are potent prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) proliferation inhibitors with IC50 values around 35 µg/ml. The tested extracts reduced prostate specific antigen (PSA) secretion (from 325.6 ± 25.3 ng/ml to ~90 ng/ml) and inhibited arginase activity (from 65.2 ± 1.1 mUnits of urea/mg of protein to ~40 mUnits of urea/mg protein). Selected constituents of extracts (oenothein B, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside) were proven to be active in relation to LNCaP cells. However, oenothein B was the strongest inhibitor of cells proliferation (IC50 = 7.8 ± 0.8 μM), PSA secretion (IC50 = 21.9 ± 3.2 μM) and arginase activity (IC50 = 19.2 ± 2.0 μM). Additionally, ellagitannins from E. hirustum extract were proven to be transformed by human gut microbiota into urolithins. Urolithin C showed the strongest activity in the inhibition of cell proliferation (IC50 = 35.2 ± 3.7 μM), PSA secretion (reduced PSA secretion to the level of 100.7 ± 31.0 ng/ml) and arginase activity (reduced to the level of 27.9 ± 3.3 mUnits of urea/mg of protein). Results of the work offer an explanation of the activity of Epilobium extracts and support the use of Epilobium preparations in the treatment of prostate diseases."

Similar text appears in most or all of the herbs that I have chosen and reading this does tend to encourage hopes that plants can help naturally remedy the accident of Nature that is often at the heart of our problems with PCA. If it is an error of Nature so it would be fitting if Nature could fight back.  No doubt in "Star Trek", this has already been sorted out long ago in the future!

Regards and thanks again, Victor.  29th May 2024

Thank you very much for your posting responses Eddie and Steph.

Processed Foods:  It seems that almost everything is "processed".  I am vegetarian as much as possible in that I do not eat meat or fowl or fish anymore.  I last ate meat about 60 years ago!  I do have a bag of chips from McD or KFC once a week when I meet up with a friend on a Saturday and I add a little salt, otherwise I mostly consume vegetables such as broccoli, onions, tomatoes, carrots, black olives, broad beans, brown bread, croquette potatoes (cooked in the oven with pepper only, no added salt) but I do have packet minestrone soups with grated parmesan cheese.  I am not sure which is these would be a problem exactly? 

Steph, I have informed my GP and Hospital Surgeon that I am taking all these herbs.  A few of them also lower Diabetes levels (I have type 2 Diabetes) but so far, I seem to have tolerated all of the herbs without upsets as far as I know.

It is authoratively stated on the Web that there is no reliable evidence from human studies that herbs can help us and I expect that almost all of the scientific studies I have come across only refer to laboratory studies including with mice.  The following text is on the Web relating to one of my chosen herbs "Willow Herb":

"Extracts from Epilobium sp. herbs have been traditionally used in the treatment of prostate-associated ailments. Our studies demonstrated that the extracts from Epilobium angustifolium, Epilobium parviflorum and Epilobium hirsutum herbs are potent prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) proliferation inhibitors with IC50 values around 35 µg/ml. The tested extracts reduced prostate specific antigen (PSA) secretion (from 325.6 ± 25.3 ng/ml to ~90 ng/ml) and inhibited arginase activity (from 65.2 ± 1.1 mUnits of urea/mg of protein to ~40 mUnits of urea/mg protein). Selected constituents of extracts (oenothein B, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside) were proven to be active in relation to LNCaP cells. However, oenothein B was the strongest inhibitor of cells proliferation (IC50 = 7.8 ± 0.8 μM), PSA secretion (IC50 = 21.9 ± 3.2 μM) and arginase activity (IC50 = 19.2 ± 2.0 μM). Additionally, ellagitannins from E. hirustum extract were proven to be transformed by human gut microbiota into urolithins. Urolithin C showed the strongest activity in the inhibition of cell proliferation (IC50 = 35.2 ± 3.7 μM), PSA secretion (reduced PSA secretion to the level of 100.7 ± 31.0 ng/ml) and arginase activity (reduced to the level of 27.9 ± 3.3 mUnits of urea/mg of protein). Results of the work offer an explanation of the activity of Epilobium extracts and support the use of Epilobium preparations in the treatment of prostate diseases."

Similar text appears in most or all of the herbs that I have chosen and reading this does tend to encourage hopes that plants can help naturally remedy the accident of Nature that is often at the heart of our problems with PCA. If it is an error of Nature so it would be fitting if Nature could fight back.  No doubt in "Star Trek", this has already been sorted out long ago in the future!

Regards and thanks again, Victor.  29th May 2024