Complementary and Alternative Prostate Cancer Therapy

Prostate cancer is no laughing matter. The National Cancer Institute reports 217,000 cases of prostate cancer each year. 32,000 men die annually from the disease, making it a serious national health problem. According to the National Institutes of Health, prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death in men of any age. Fortunately, prostate cancer is rarely diagnosed in men under the age of 40. In addition, early detection and treatment offer more hope for men with prostate cancer than ever before.

Importance of Regular Medical Check Ups and Screening

Men's health and wellness relies on eating right, getting plenty of rest, exercise and regular check ups. Men who experience prostate problems, including low back pain or other urinary symptoms, are urged to see the doctor immediately. It may be something minor like physical strain. In some cases, it might indicate prostate problems. Annual check ups and regular screenings, particularly in men with family history of the disease, may assist in early detection and treatment.

How Prostate Cancer is Diagnosed

Doctors typically use two tests to screen for prostate cancer in men, namely the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) and the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) . The issue of screening for the disease is controversial given the fact that early detection does not necessarily correlate with higher survival rates. Doctors are also concerned that false positives may result in risky or unnecessary invasive procedures.

PSA is a protein that's made by both benign and malignant (or cancerous) prostate cells. The PSA value indicates the presence and extent of prostate disease. Medical experts report that values of 0 to 4 are considered normal. Values between 4 and 10 may indicate problems. Values between 10 and 20 may be cause for some concern. Values above 20 may indicate more serious problems, like prostate cancer. Cancer cannot be diagnosed with certainty without a biopsy. Of course, men are strongly encouraged to get regular check ups by their medical doctor and health care professionals and tested, as appropriate, for prostate cancer.

Traditional Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Some men with prostate cancer pursue traditional medical treatments, like surgery and radiation. Traditional therapy really works and offers men great results over time. Traditional medical treatments for prostate cancer include: surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, watch/wait, or some combination of these. Medical doctors are also conducting clinical trials to determine the potential of other medical approaches, like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and cryosurgical methods. It is hoped that these new prostate cancer treatments and therapies will offer a better means to a cure or effective treatment of the disease.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Prostate Cancer

There are also other complementary and alternative options and treatments for prostate cancer. These approaches are effective in promoting healing or addressing the side effects associated with medication or other treatment. Among them:

Mind-Body Approaches. These include biofeedback, yoga and meditation where the mind is enlisted to help heal the body or minimize symptoms. The Simms/Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology is an example of a medical center that integrates Mind-Body approaches to cancer diagnosis, treatment and wellness plans.

Diet and Nutritional Approaches. These include special diets, vitamins and herbal supplements to address prostate symptoms. Of course, studies have found that there's a strong relationship between health and wellness and nutrition. As a result, health care professionals advocate for a life course approach to cancer prevention in children, adolescents and adults. This approach recognizes the importance of diet and nutrition in overall health and well being. Experts at WebMD report that diets, like the Southern Mediterranean Diet and traditional Japanese diet, can reduce your risk of prostate and other cancers.

Manipulative Care and Massage Therapy. These include massage therapy and chiropractic care. Experts at University of Utah's Southwestern Medical Center suggest that short periods of massage advance the physical and emotional health and well-being of the cancer patient, easing muscle tension, chronic fatigue, anxiety and depression, and, even, lower back pain. Reiki and therapeutic touch therapies also show promise with patients diagnosed with prostate and other cancers.

Other CAM Approaches. Acupuncture, homeopathy and naturopathy count among complementary and alternative treatments and care strategies for prostate cancer. For example, some patients use acupuncture to mitigate the effects of chemotherapy. Others may adopt lifestyle and behavioral changes to promote overall health and well-being.

Consult your Medical Experts and Health Care Professionals

Nothing in this article should suggest that you can go it alone when it comes to cancer of the prostate. Cancer can be highly variable. If you experience prostate symptoms, it's essential to consult with your doctor and health care professionals for a proper diagnosis and discussion of treatment options. New imaging and noninvasive procedures are among today's new approaches to fighting prostate cancer. For early stage prostate cancer, watchful waiting may be the best course of action. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) can offset the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, promote healing, and advance overall health and well-being.

RESOURCES on Men's Health, Prostate Cancer and CAM

Cancer Topics - Prostate
National Cancer Institute

Cancer Topics - CAM
National Cancer Institute

Cancer Topics - Understanding Prostate Changes: A Health Guide for Men
National Cancer Institute

The increasing role of CAM in prostate cancer
Zecha G, Lin DW, and Montgomery RB.
JAAPA. 2004 Mar;17(3):37-40, 43-4 in PubMed
US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health

Changing patterns of CAM use among prostate cancer patients two years after diagnosis: reasons for maintenance or discontinuation
Porter M, Kolva E, Ahl R, Diefenbach MA.
Complement Ther Med. 2008 Dec;16(6):318-24. Epub 2008 Jun 9 in PubMed
US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health