Option of Herbal Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer
Herbal Remedies for Prostate Cancer
A number of medical treatment options are available for prostate cancer, particularly when the cancer is detected at an early stage. However, if the cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body, it becomes far more difficult to treat it effectively with conventional medical treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Herbal treatment for advanced prostate cancer is one of the available options which the patient may consider.
The effectiveness of herbal remedies to treat advanced stages of prostate cancer has not been scientifically proven. No randomized clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of herbal medicines for this disease. But if the patient is unable to undergo surgery or other standard medical treatments, or the treatment options have been exhausted, he may opt for alternative treatments such as herbal therapy. Herbal remedies are considered to be a complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) which may not have been scientifically tested for efficacy or safety, and may not have been approved by the FDA.
Common Herbal Medicines Used for Prostate Cancer
A number of herbal supplements are available for prostate cancer. Many of these are natural or plant based estrogens, which might show some benefit in improving the urinary flow in the patient. Some supplements have also shown an improvement in the PSA levels of the patient. However, there is no scientific evidence to indicate an effective cure for prostate cancer. One of the common herbs used to treat prostate cancer patients is saw palmetto. This herb is taken from the berries of a palm tree commonly found in the southeastern coast area of the United States. This herb is believed to curb prostate enlargement.
Pygeum is another herbal remedy found in a tree bark in Africa. This herb is accepted as a natural treatment for prostatitis and BPH. Cernilton is another herbal solution used in Europe to treat advanced prostate cancer. This herb is extracted from rye pollen. Another common herbal medicine for prostate cancer is stinging nettle, which is marketed in Europe under the brand name of Bazoton. This medicine is also believed to help in reducing BPH symptoms.
Possible Side Effects of Herbal Treatment
Herbal treatment for advanced prostate cancer should be approached cautiously and in consultation with a doctor. From time to time different patients have reported various adverse effects of such treatment. Some patients have shown symptoms of venous thrombosis, which results in formation of blood clots in the veins. Reduction of sexual urge may also occur with certain herbal medications for prostate cancer.
One of the popular herbal treatments for prostate cancer called PC-SPES was removed from the market after the U.S. FDA warned of its harmful effects. The medication was found to be mixed with various prescription drugs that could cause major health troubles. Similarly, there could be several such herbal medications available in the market as a treatment for prostate cancer, which have not been evaluated by the FDA or other agencies.
References
Stanford Medicine: https://cancer.stanford.edu/urologic/prostate/treatment/hrbrempc.html
Prostate Health: https://www.healingtherapies.info/natural_prostate_health.htm
