Prostate cancer

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PROSTATE CANCER

A TALK FOR THE PROSTATE CANCER NETWORK TORONTO BY

MORWENNA GIVEN MEDICAL HERBALIST

BA MA (OXON) BSC M.OHA BHG RH WWW.MEDICUSHERBIS.COM

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WHO AM I? I am a medical herbalist, trained in

University, Hospital and clinics With a practise in downtown Toronto

focussing on cancer & precancerous conditions e.g prostatitis & BPH

Due time constraints a fuller version of this talk can be found on: WWW.MEDICUSHERBIS.COM

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WHO AM I? I am a medical herbalist, trained in

University, Hospital and clinics

With a practise in downtown Toronto focussing on cancer & precancerous conditions e.g prostatitis & BPH

Due time constraints a fuller version of this talk can be found on: WWW.MEDICUSHERBIS.COM

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HOW AM I TRAINED?

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WHAT IS A MEDICAL HERBALIST?

A person who treats medical disease ‘wholistically’ on an evidence based basis with whole plant extracts

A person who has trained in University, hospital, clinic environments

A person who treats the cause of the problem not just the symptom

We are specialists in the use of medicinal plants and their ability to resolve disease

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WHAT IS CANCER?

Cancer is an endocrine metabolic disease; a disease which travels through glands affecting all the chemical and physical processes which allow the body to function creating Inflammation & Uncontrolled growth of cells

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CANCER TAKES @ 10-15 YRS TO DEVELOP INTO A TUMOUR As a Medical Herbalist I monitor signs for

cancer long before a tumour is visible

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CANCER IS CANCER WHEREVER IT IS LOCATED

IN THE BODY If cancer is detected in the prostate

it is called prostate cancer because of the way conventional medicine is organised;

It remains an endocrine metabolic disease throughout the body not confined one area.

90% OF ALL CANCERS ARE CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

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WHEN CANCER IS SHOWN IT IS already CHRONIC disease

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CAUSES OF PROSTATE CANCER

Nobel prize winner 1931 Warburg – identified the principal metabolic (glycolytic) switch of cancer - i.e. excess sugars in the body

(diet)

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Physiological DRIVERS OF PROSTATE CANCER

Poor blood flow to prostatic tissues Poor excretion from prostatic tissues

Inflammation –drugs conventional & social

Weak or disrupted innate bodily immune/ mechanisms including excess hormones

Decreased immune surveillance Blockage – lymphatic drainage – bacteria - viruses Bodily & mental stress

Other conditions associated e.g. thyroid malfunction

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TESTS PSA Urine PCA3, Prostascint , PAP CTC & Chromagranin A Following radical prostatectomy zinc, vitamin D,

osteocalcin are good predictors “The majority incorrectly equated improved survival

and early detection with lives saved by screening. About one half (47%) incorrectly reported that discovering cancer in screened, as opposed to unscreened, populations is evidence that screening saves lives.”

In fact screening provides 0.4% reduction in 1000 in mortality in 5 years ( European trials )

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TESTS (There are others)

Elevated CRP indicates the degree of inflammation

Homocysteine shows DNA stability Free PSA is a better marker than

PSA PAP gives a probable spread

beyond the gland Prolactin is a cell proliferator and

cell stimulant

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CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTSNone address cause

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DRUGS USED TO TREAT Anti Androgens Gonadorelin analogues Alkylating drugs

All have significant side effects

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OVER TREATMENT Biopsies are highly inflammatory PSA & other tests do not have high

reliability Many drugs cause other problems Ignores causes Use of invasive surgery despite low

levels of hormones

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CONSEQUENCES of CONVENTIONAL TREATMENTS

Surgery: Jones in 1895 and Peeters in 2005 Journal of Surgery both observed: Surgical removal of the primary tumour activates cancer

Radiation: Destabilises - DNA – burns and thus is highly inflammatory

Chemotherapy: Limited value - destructive of good and bad cells ONLY works IN S phase – does not address cause – long term issues

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WATCHFUL WAITING A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WAITING IS A GOOD SOLUTION because CANCER CAN CONTINUE TO DEVELOP As IT IS A CHRONIC METABOLIC DISEASE

BUT AFTER A PROSTECTOMY PLANTS

CAN INHIBIT THE METABOLIC PROGRESS OF CANCER

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PREVENTION Cancer is a Preventable Disease that

Requires Major Lifestyle Changes

B.B Aggwal et al. MD Anderson Cancer Research Centre Pharm Res. 2008 September; 25(9): 2097–2116. Pub. online 2008 Jul 15. doi: 10.1007/s11095-008-9661-9.

2.8M Cancer cases per year are preventable

Martin Wiseman Project Director World Cancer Research Fund 2011

EARLY DETECTION & SURGERY IS NOT PREVENTION

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Other protocols For those who choose chemo: I have a supporting protocol to

prevent side effects and limit the damage

For those who choose radiation: I have a supporting protocol to

prevent lesions common in 60% of cases. None of my patients have experienced these.

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PLANTS CAN BLOCK EVERY MAJOR CANCER PATHWAY

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A MEDICAL HERBALIST TREATS THE CAUSES

We address the physiological drivers:Decrease inflammationStrengthen body resistance/ vitality - reduce/eliminate bacteria & viruses, ENSURE proper lymphatic drainage

Manage stress; reduce excess hormones

Increase immunity and immune surveillance by the bodyEnsure major organs function normally

Cytotoxicity for cancerous cells and finally return the body to HOMEOSTASIS

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PLANTS AND CANCER There is a substantial amount of evidence

base showing how plants can reverse cancer both in a general and specific context.

The specific plants chosen depend on the patient’s needs – there is no one size fits all.

Plants it is rare to have side effects and there are no long term negative consequences

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SOME PLANTS USED IN PROSTATE CANCER Curcuma longa – the perfect anti cancer plant/ drug -

mediates 98 metabolic pathways; inhibits 14 types of cancer

Serenoa serulata: “Lipids/sterols known to be inhibitor of 5alpha

reductase” Performed better than Finasteride in clinical trials

Capsicum minimum: “ inhibits growth of androgen independent prostate

cancer cells carrying the common P53 mutation” Cimicifuga racemosa L. Nutt “ inhibits androgen sensitive and insensitive cells by

apoptosis”

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STRATEGIES WHICH ADDRESS THE PHYSIOLOGICAL DRIVERS:

DECREASE INFLAMMATION STRENGTHEN THE BODY MANAGE STRESS MANAGE HORMONES INCREASE IMMUNITY DETOX THE BODY DIET & LIFESTYLE ADDRESS OTHER ISSUES

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DECREASE INFLAMMATION

All chronic conditions are caused by persistent inflammation

The inflammatory cascade is governed by eicosanoids (Cox) which produce prostaglandins, leukotriene's and TNF/TGF

Unhealthy diet & lifestyle can cause cells to over react producing high levels of prostaglandins resulting in a chronic feedback loop

Inflammation increases angiogenesis. Increases VEGF which causes cells to proliferate and ILGF which in turn is influenced by age, weight, and exercise

MH has many anti inflammatory herbs e.g. Boswellia , Curcuma longa, Salix

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STRENGTHEN THE BODY

We look at all aspects of bodily function, identify the stressed functions,

provide appropriate herbal support e.g. the heart

Eliminate pathogenic bacteria

Eliminate or control viruses

Role of Thyroid

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MANAGE STRESS The GAS syndrome – Hans Selye - Canadian

Stress is known to deplete immunity and increase the rate of

Prostate Growth. It releases pro inflammatory cytokines which act as stimulants

MH has a significant number of plants called adaptogens ideally suited to manage stress: Astragalas membranaceous Glycorrihiza glabra Withania somniferum Panax Ginseng

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MANAGE HORMONES Testosterone is produced by the testicular Leydig cells under the

influence of pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone—releasing hormone from the anterior hypothalamus, which in turn is regulated by negative feedback inhibition of the pituitary-gonadal axis by circulating testosterone.

Most testosterone in circulation is bound to sex hormone—binding globulin and albumin. Only 1% to 2% of testosterone exists in the free, unbound form that diffuses into target cells of the prostate, testis, adrenal gland, skin, muscle, bone, and adipose tissue, where it is irreversibly converted into a more potent biologically active metabolite, dihydrotestosterone (DHT),by action of 5α-reductase (5αR)

There are herbs which modify every single step of this pathway e.g. Vitex, Serenoa, Cimicifuga, Urtica Radix

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INCREASE IMMUNITY Prostate cancer is linked to a depressed or depleted immune system; this reduces immune surveillance which results in the dysfunction of Cells

Some Medical Herbs which increase immunity are: Eccinachea spp. Astragalas membranaceous Panax ginseng Phytolacca decandra

Recent Noble prize winner for Chemistry tried to synthesise a drug for dendritic cells – Echinacea does this

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DETOX THE BODY Ensure major organs, bowels, lungs, urinary system are

in proper working order i.e. excretion, diuretics

Ensure proper drainage of tissues to provide for excretion

i.e. lymphatics

Stimulate the circulatory tissues to deliver proper nutrients

to tissues And stimulate the drainage of those tissues.

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DIET Balanced diet high in fruit and vegetables

Avoid refined carbs

Probiotics – goats yoghourt

High protein

Minimise fats especially saturated fats For my patients I give specific advice to their

circumstances

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VITAMIN D Vitamin D is poorly understood ; currently 8 forms

identified - most common form - Vitamin D3 Involved in the Pathogenesis of cancer, hypertension,

MS, auto immune, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, pulmonary disease, Crohn's, diabetes, thyroid function, blood clotting, liver function

AR signaling pathway is affected by vitamin D, which is known to promote growth inhibitory effects in prostate cancer.

Most Canadians deficient.

Grant W, et.al. An estimate of the economic burden and premature deaths due to vitamin D deficiency in Canada, Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, volume 54, Issue 8, p. 1172-1181, août 2010.

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LIFESTYLE CHANGES Essential to beating cancer as it is

lifestyle that has contributed to the disease

Exercise - improves oxygen flow to the prostate Stop smoking BMI less than 24

Relax Hydrotherapy Tai Chi Qi Gong Acupuncture etc

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CARERS The role of the carer is vitally

important but often exhausting.

Herbalists have a wide range of plants to deal with the personal health of the carer together with specific plants for stress

The diet and lifestyle changes I suggest are for the good health of the carer too.!

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CASE STUDY 15/05/06 56yrs West Indian poor urinary flow, pain, nocturia,

haematuria, anejaculation, chest pain, back pain BMI 25

PMH: Angina, vasectomy, poor diet, no drugs or supplements

DRE: enlarged irregular nodular prostate PSA: 5000+ ng/ml Biopsy: Gleason 9 Grade 5

Isotopic bone scan : osteosclerotic bone meets lumbar spine, lower ribs, pelvis & femur

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CASE STUDY RESULT 15/05/06 PSA 5000 ng/ml 15/06/06 PSA 1000 ng/ml 17/07/06 PSA 300 ng/ml 02/08/06 PSA 0.9 ng/ml 19/03/07 PSA 0.7 ng/ml

On every visit modify the RX if required & check bloods

No pain, no urgency, flow normal, no nocturia

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SUPPLEMENTS There are some specific

supplements beneficial in prostate cancer such as lycopene

Retail supplements are not allowed by law to have a medical effect and thus the doses maybe inappropriate

Always consult your professional practitioner first before purchasing

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Supplements illegal to sell a medically efficacious

dose most are not pharmaceutical grade no evidence base / extrapolation

claims Contents /label/marketing claim Unnecessary No consideration of individual

needs Failure to address

polysupplementation

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CAUTIONS PLEASE NOTE IT IS ADVISED, THAT ANY PLANTS MENTIONED

IN THIS TALK, ARE ONLY USED UNDER PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE.

BOTANICAL MEDICINE AS SUPPLIED BY A PROFESSIONAL IS NOT AVAILABLE OVER THE RETAIL COUNTER.

It is not advisable to self treat

A professional: will recognise all the issues within the body

Select herbs that will impact positively on these issues without causing problems in order to co exist with orthodox drugs,

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REFERENCES & EVIDENCE BASE

www. Pubmed, Science direct

I have a full list of references for those who are interested – if you would like either to email me or put your name down tonight I will send them to you.

Prostate cancer

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Prostate cancer