New Study Discourages Dietary Supplements For Prostate Cancer Patients
March 9, 2010 at 3:09 AM by AHN · Leave a Comment
Troy, MI, United States (AHN) – Prostate-specific dietary supplements should not be taken during radiation therapy treatments, according to a recent study. Scientists have found that they can increase the radio-sensitivity of normal prostate cell lines, leading to normal tissue complications.
In an attempt to improve sexual potency and alleviate the symptoms of prostate cancer treatment, many cancer patients take nutritional supplements.
Researchers found that nearly half of prostate cancer patients use an herbal or dietary supplement and most do so without discussing it with their doctor.
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that comprisespart of a male reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over age 75. Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.
Researchers found cell growth and radiosensitivity of the malignant tumor cells were not affected by any of the supplements. However, two of the supplements tested slowed the growth rate of the normal prostate cell lines while a third supplement also increased the cellular radiosensitivity of some normal cell lines by inhibiting DNA repair.
“Cancer patients turn to supplements to aid in their treatments for a variety of reasons, but this study proves that what some patients believe is helping them may actually be harming them,” said Dr. Brian Marples, senior author of the study and a radiobiologist at William Beaumont Hospital. “It is very important for all patients to discuss any type of supplement they may be taking with their physician and especially important for prostate cancer patients receiving radiation therapy as this study shows that it may be negatively affecting the effectiveness of their treatments.”
Although the cause of prostate cancer is unknown, some studies have shown a relationship between high dietary fat intake and increased testosterone levels.
According to the latest American Cancer Society statistics, nearly 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year with 27,360 succumbing to the disease.
The study in its entirety can be read in the March issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.
