Prostate cancer is a touchy subject. This is when illness directs a blow below the belt. Because it is below the belt, very few people feel comfortable talking about it. I completely understand a person's reluctance to have a prostate examination. It is an invasive procedure which we feel pretty uncomfortable with. Thus many men only discover that they even have a prostate when things aren't quite right anymore. Many men only go to the doctor when there is pain or difficulty when urinating, or a form of erectile dysfunction. A PSA (prostate specific antigen) test can usually give a reliable indication of whether or not these health issues are related to the presence of prostate cancer. Early symptoms are frequent urination especially at night, including difficulty in keeping a steady stream whilst urinating: blood present in the urine, painful urination and/or painful ejaculation. What if you find out that you have prostate cancer. What exactly does that mean?
What is cancer? Cancer is characterized by an uncontrolled division of cells which can invade (grow into) other cells. The cancer growth causes damage to DNA which results in mutations to genes. Genes are required for encoding proteins responsible for cell division. Carcinogens are any substance which causes this.
So why does cancer occur? It starts by understanding our own body. The immune system should detect and remove any cell which is not behaving as it should (malformed). Thus cancer occurrence reveals that the patient has an immune system which requires boosting. Cancer therefore is an immune system illness (3). It only occurs when your immune system is not performing properly. Most people with cancer have immune systems which are completely unaware of the tumor, or have an immune system too weak to remove the cancer. By boosting the immune system the body starts to fight against the cancerous tissue (3). But it requires help to do this.
Cancer treatment: There are two routes that your doctor will usually advise in the case of cancer. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Unfortunately both of these treatments will kill healthy cells along with the tumor cells. This adds to the weakening of your immune system. A new form of radiation therapy is now being promoted for prostate cancer. This is called Brachytherapy (alternatively called Bradytherapy). This involves the implantation of radioactive seeds placed inside the prostate where they give off radiation for months. This is considered to be a better method of radiation treatment for prostate cancer.
However, the side effects which are possible in this form of treatment are not for the faint hearted. The short term side effects are: An increase in the frequency and urgency to urinate, intermittent urination (stop start) and more night time urination. Sometimes urinary obstruction develops, which would require a catheter. In the case of chronic obstruction, an operation called roto-rooter shall have to be performed. Some men experience urine for up to 5 years following this treatment. There is the possibility (2 out of every 100 men) of permanent rectal straining and bleeding (proctitis). Added to this the scrotum may temporarily turn black or blue. Semen may have a rusty color, there may be blood in the urine and sexually active patients may experience spasm at ejaculation.
Patients undergoing this treatment with a history of hemorrhoids may also experience rectal bleeding. Long term side effects may include chronic urine leakage and urinary bleeding especially if taking aspirin. A fair number of patients have required the use of a pad due to urinary leakage. Some patients have completely lost the ability to have an erection or suffer from diminished erection, this is more common if you suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes. Semen amount in ejaculation may decrease. Some patients also require suppositories after treatment and there is the possibility of rectal damage which would require a colostomy. Sex after brachytherapy is quite a daunting subject. Long term radiation can damage the nerves that stimulate erection, and can effect the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis. This can result in a shortening of the penis in length. Some researchers link this to the shortening of the urethra caused by radiation which then would attribute to the shortening of the penis. (I said it was a touchy subject).
Because the prostate is responsible for semen production, professionals are unsure of the guarantee of healthy children after this treatment and sperm banking your semen before treatment is recommended. The radiation therapy directly inside your prostate also effects fluid content in semen and some patients report experiencing reduced ejaculation, some have completely dry orgasms. Some patients also experience pain with ejaculation. There is also the danger that the radiation seeds do not all stay in the prostate and can migrate through the body. Seeds have been known to migrate to the urethra, lungs and bladder. It is also possible to pass a seed through urination and ejaculation. Hence some doctors recommend using a condom. 14 out of every 100 men have permanent impotence. (1)
Once you consider the effects on the body of prostate cancer, compared to the very real risks of the side effects of conventional treatment, you are faced with a difficult decision. Living with prostate cancer does seem to be a better option to enduring the possible side effects of recommended therapies. Many people are unaware that there are cures available for cancer. These are non-invasive (no surgery) and safe alternatives for cancer prevention and treatment. Following is a complete breakdown of the other options that I am aware of for anyone suffering with prostate cancer. Yes, you have an alternative.
Alternatives:
Pawpaw: In 1997 Jerry Mclaughlin and doctoral student Nicholas Oberlies identified medicinal compounds in the bark of the pawpaw tree. These compounds "Annonaceous acetogenins", are effective against drug resistant cancers, tumours and resistant cells. (a) Tumour cells which resist normal treatment do so by pumping the anti-cancer agent out of the cell using a pump which some cells develop. It is this ability of a cancer cell, which causes cancer to sometimes return after treatment. However over 40 compounds in the pawpaw tree were identified as having anti-cancer properties, and they are effective against even these drug resistant cells by disabling the ATP (adenoisine triphosphate) which creates the pump and energy release in the cell. This forces the cancer to only feed on itself for energy. And it is this which makes the pawpaw so effective, because the tumour eats itself into non-existence. Cancer is not intelligent. It simply has the instinct to grow. It cannot determine when it is feeding on itself or a healthy cell. However healthy normal cells are not adversely affected by this pawpaw compound. This wonderful compound was patented by Prof Mclaughlin and is sold in the USA under the name "Pawpaw-Cell-Reg". It is available for purchase online at Nature's Sunshine website: www.healthy-sunshine.com. The fabulous aspect of this treatment is that there are absolutely no side effects. You cannot overdose as this is thwarted by vomiting. The only warning is that this pawpaw compound should not be taken with CoQ10, because CoQ10 postpones cells death. And as we require the cancer cells death (apotosis), it makes sense not to use a substance which would prevent this from happening. (2)
Mistletoe Lectin: Mistletoe lectin (Ml-1) is sold under the name of Iscador. Mistletoe works by boosting the immune system. It stimulates cell immunity and increases white blood cell count. The Mapapo Institute of Oncology conducted a study of over 8 million cases, which took 18 years to complete. It was found to be completely effective. They found that the mistletoe has many substances with cycostatic effect. These substances were more effective than the chemical substances currently being used against cancer. These mistletoe substances stimulated the entire immune system thereby helping the body overcome the discomfort and pain associated with cancer whilst successfully combating the cancerous cells. This treatment has no significant toxicity and enhanced the quality of life of patients in this study. However ML-1 isn't for everyone. For example if the tumour is causing endocranial pressure it is not recommended. If you are interested in receiving this treatment it is best to discuss it with your oncologist. All of the relevant information is available on the Mapapo Institute's website (see link below). However due to the effectiveness of this substance on its own against cancer, professionals should be encouraged to first prescribe this treatment, and only failing this, resort to surgery and toxic therapy. (3)
Pomegranate: Pomegranate seeds and juice have anti-cancer agents with chemo-preventative activity against cancer. The studies on pomegranate have revealed that pomegranate is effective against almost all cancers. The seed oil is more potent than just the juice, however both are effective. Thus if you can handle eating the seeds of your pomegranate too, you'll benefit greatly. There is now a pomegranate supplement available (cardioflow pomegranate supplement) as an added measure. A specific study revealed that many pomegranate derived materials were effective against prostate cancer as pomegranate juice inhibits tumour progression and reduces prostate tumour antigen in the blood. Pomegranate fruit juice is also available in the fresh fruit section of most supermarkets. (4)
Stinging Nettle: Plasma AD2(erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine) isoform is increased in the body with the presence of cancer. Stinging nettle extract inhibits this activity in prostate tissue. And it is this mechanism which makes the stinging nettle effective against prostate cancer. Patients treated with stinging nettle had a reduction in size of their prostate without any side effects to this treatment. Stinging nettle suppresses prostate cell metabolism and growth. In fact stinging nettle reduced the growth by 34%. (4) Most pharmacies sell supplements of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). (5)
Pumpkin Seed: Pumpkin seed oil reduces the size of prostate growth by affecting the protein synthesis of the tumour cells. Eating pumpkin seeds or using the oil gives you this benefit. The androgen receptor controls the growth of the prostate. A compound found in pumpkin has antiandrogenic activity and in one study is suggested as a treatment for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostate cancer, as well as the prevention of it. Testosterone can increase the size of the prostate, however pumpkin seed oil (dose related) inhibits testosterone induced hyperplasia of the prostate. The protective effect of pumpkin seed oil on the prostate is significant. Pumpkin seeds can be found in almost any seed section of a grocery shop. It is also available from health food shops and pharmacies. Pumpkin seed oil is available from some speciality stores and deli's. (6)
Sutherlandia (Cancer bush): Sutherlandia is a plant native to South Africa and is of the pea family. Studies of sutherlandia against cancer resulted in a 50% decrease of cancer cell numbers after 24 hours exposure to 1.5 mg / ml of Sutherlandia, and is effective against several different types of cancer. It also induces cell death in cancer cells. It is also a potent antioxidant which boosts the immune system. It is also an antimutagenic (prevents cell mutations). Sutherlandia and rooibos tea is available from most pharmacies. I am sure extracts or essential oils are also probably available, check with your pharmacist. (7)
The body of evidence speaks for itself. All of these alternatives are effective against cancer as proven by medical science and research. Cancer affects your body. Your body is the only thing which you own in this world from birth to death. You have to live with it. Thus how you choose to fight illness is really your own decision. Your doctor should advise you in a way which has the best possible outcome for regaining full health and a comfortable and fully functioning body. Knowledge is power, the more you know about your illness and the many treatments for it, gives you the power of making a fully informed wise choice regarding your future health.
Discuss all alternatives with your doctor. If you are unhappy with your choices perhaps you could consider a homeopath who advocates the use of natural, safe, and gentle ways of treating illness using natural remedies. Either way, it is your body and your choice. I simply strive to help you to make a well informed decision. My wish is good health for all men.
2. Jerry L. McLaughlin, N Oberlies: September 1997 -Pawpaw shows promise in fighting drug-resistant tumors :Published by the Purdue News in 1997: (Purdue University) : Cancer Letters 115 (1997) 73-79 Nicholas H. Oberlies, Vicki L. Croy, Marietta L. Harrison, Jerry L. McLaughlin: The Annonaceous acetogenin bullatacin is cytotoxic against multidrug resistant human mammary adenocarcinoma cells ; J. Med. Chem. 1997, 40, 2102-2106 Pawpaw Cell-Reg available from Healthy Sunshine To purchase the products described above please go to: www.healthy-sunshine.com http://www.healthy-sunshine.com/paw-paw-cell-reg.asp - Click on the Fact sheet to download pdf The Pawpaw- Asimina triloba - Scientific Paper Purdue University, West Lafayette Further reading: http://www.pawpawresearch.com/articles-acs.htm
3. http://www.elbolsonpatagonia.com.ar/a/pabluster/english/default.shtml MAPAPO INSTITUTE German - Argentine Institute for Oncologic and Immunologic Investigations
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