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.

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Morning Victor lovely post with some good advice, one bit of advice to help, there are some artificial sweeteners  found in processed foods which some cancer cells are able to use to grow. Great to meet another Maggie's fan, I have been going for over a year and would, and do, recommend to everyone. PS i did have hormone an radiotherapy with no catheter but did have side effects, take care.

Eddie

Hey Eddiel, 

I just wanted to let you know that there is currently no convincing evidence that artificial sweeteners can cause cancer. I hope this article we have about artificial sweeteners and cancer will help explain this in more detail, but if you have any further questions, don't hesitate in giving our cancer nurses a call on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hey Eddiel, 

I just wanted to let you know that there is currently no convincing evidence that artificial sweeteners can cause cancer. I hope this article we have about artificial sweeteners and cancer will help explain this in more detail, but if you have any further questions, don't hesitate in giving our cancer nurses a call on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Two further studies:

Amongst my list of herbs which may or may not be helping my system lessen PCA proliferation are Betulinic Acid and Astragaloside IV.  The following extracts are on the Web:

"Betulinic acid inhibits prostate cancer growth through inhibition of specificity protein transcription factors - Betulinic acid is a pentacyclic triterpene natural product initially identified as a melanoma-specific cytotoxic agent that exhibits low toxicity in animal models. Subsequent studies show that betulinic acid induces apoptosis and antiangiogenic responses in tumors derived from multiple tissues; however, the underlying mechanism of action is unknown. Using LNCaP prostate cancer cells as a model, we now show that betulinic acid decreases expression of vascular endothelial growth (VEGF) and the antiapoptotic protein survivin. The mechanism of these betulinic acid-induced antiangiogenic and proapoptotic responses in both LNCaP cells and in tumors is due to activation of selective proteasome-dependent degradation of the transcription factors specificity protein 1 (Sp1), Sp3, and Sp4, which regulate VEGF and survivin expression. Thus, betulinic acid acts as a novel anticancer agent through targeted degradation of Sp proteins that are highly overexpressed in tumors."

"Astragalus membranaceus Bunge is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat various cancers. Astragaloside‑IV (AS‑IV) is one of the major compounds isolated from A. membranaceus Bunge and has been demonstrated to have antitumor effects by inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis in various cancer types. Numerous studies have used in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal models of cancer to explore the antitumor activities of AS‑IV."

Most of the scientific studies that I have printed off of course contain texts only understandable by laboratory researchers but I have noticed texts that speak about "proliferation" being reduced etc.

Steph mentioned that there are some studies taking place in this country whereas almost all of the studies on the Web are from foreign countries' scientists.

Generally, in this country, we don't seem to be involved with herbs at all. Chinese Medicine shops in London are not always easy to navigate owing to language problems.  Some years ago, one Chinese preparation had to be withdrawn in the USA I think it was owing to other elements being discovered in the mix. The Prostate Team at my hospital say that they know nothing about herbs but do not discourage me from trying my luck.

Regards, Victor.  30th May 2024.

H Steph, I agree, but there are a very few artificial artificial sweeteners which some existing cancer cells  can break down and use part of to grow,

Eddie

Hi VictorHM78 and eddiel , 

First of all, we just want to say that we are really pleased you have found support from each other at such a difficult time. It is really important to be able to talk to others who understand what you are going through but as Cancer Chat is read by many people, we just need to be clear on Cancer Research UK’s position concerning alternative/complementary therapies and also just reiterate the facts on artificial sweeteners.

As Cancer Research UK is a science organisation it is important that information posted on our website is accurate and not misleading in anyway. Our terms and conditions are also clear in that anything posted on Cancer Chat must be accurate. We have addressed the myth around artificial sweeteners in this article but we do appreciate that you might want to try anything if you think it might help treat or cure your cancer.

Only you can decide whether to use an alternative cancer therapy such as herbal medicine, but it is important for anyone reading this thread to be aware that they could harm their health if they stop their cancer treatment for an unproven treatment. What works for some people might be unsafe for someone else and so we have a legal responsibility to ensure that conversations on Cancer Chat are not seen to be encouraging or advocating anything which is unproven. There are some useful guidelines on our website for ensuring you use complementary therapies safely. Some websites might promote herbal medicine as part of treatment for cancer but no reputable scientific cancer organisations support any of these claims. 

We hope that helps and that some of the links we have shared have been useful. There is so much misinformation and contradictory information on the internet that it is important to use trusted resources such as NHS, research charities or government websites, particularly when researching your health.

Thank you for your understanding and we really do wish you both all the very best with your treatment.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Dear Steph,

Thank you for writing again. By referring to scientific studies by Doctors and Professors of various universities, it is apparent that their published data is genuinely researched rather than being a commercial release by a drug firm.

Of course. I am not suggesting that patients should all stop their hospital treatments and start taking Rosemary, Garlic, Cranberry etc instead.

In my own case, at the suggestion of the hospital surgeon (one of a very senior Professor's team), I am under "Active Surveillance" at the moment and I am merely trying to strengthen my immunity to delay having to submit to ADT too soon by taking some 40 odd herbs recommended in scientific studies. 

The fact that established organisations do not consider herbal studies to be reliable enough to make any difference does not, I would think, automatically negate the research and I imagine that it is likely that most of these learned scientists know their subject. One powerful anti-cancer treatment originated from Yew Trees, I was told by a chemist once. If only a few of the 40 odd herbs that I take (and they are quite expensive when you have to live on your old age pension and a rent rebate from the local Council alone!) help my situation, this would be a bit of a result for the several thousands of pounds so far spent.

I don't know anything about artificial sweeteners. As I have Diabetes Type 2, I avoid sugar or sweeteners altogether.  I recall that decades ago one was banned in America.  I have read that the herb Cinnamon lowers sugar levels.

NB. A study by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has demonstrated that Cinnamon and its active components - cinnamaldehyde & procyanidin B2 — administered orally to rats had an inhibitory effect on early-stage prostate cancer.

Regards and thank you again, Victor 30/5/2024.

PS.  I hope that Jim who started this topic 3¼ years ago is well.