Апрель 2nd, 2011 -- Posted in prostate, prostate cancer, Testosterone |
The Daily Express reports that a “new treatment for prostate cancer has cut the risk of dying by half”. It said that “six months of the hormone therapy……is all that is needed”, and the benefits continue for 10 years.
The trial in question did not look at androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) alone. It provided either three or six months of ADT before and around the time that the men received radiotherapy (a schedule of delivery referred to as neoadjuvant therapy), and compared this with radiotherapy alone. It found that six months of neoadjuvant ADT reduced the chances of men dying from prostate cancer over 10 years of follow-up. But three months of neoadjuvant ADT only significantly improved some outcomes, though not deaths from prostate cancer.
The study used a robust design, and its results indicate that six months of ADT before radiotherapy is beneficial in men with locally advanced prostate cancer. However, as the study started more than a decade ago, it used a lower dose of radiation than is currently used, which may affect whether these findings can be generalised.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines already suggest that men with locally advanced prostate cancer should be offered 3–6 months of this type of neoadjuvant therapy (luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonist therapy) before and while receiving radiotherapy.
Where did the story come from?
The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Newcastle in Australia and other research centres in Australia and New Zealand. It was funded by the Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council, Hunter Medical Research Institute, and the manufacturers of the two drugs used in the trial (AstraZeneca and Schering-Plough).
The study was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet.
This story was covered by the DailyExpress, Daily Mail, and The Daily Telegraph. Although the reports generally convey the main findings of the trial, there are some potentially misleading statements.
The Daily Mail suggests that “just six months of the treatment could cure in many cases”, but as the study followed people for just 10 years, it is difficult to say how many of them will remain free of cancer in their lifetimes.
The Express suggests that this hormonal treatment is “all that is needed”, but it is actually given alongside radiotherapy. Also, it is not possible to say from the trial whether longer treatment would increase benefits further.
The Telegraph suggests that the hormonal therapy is given “before and after radiotherapy”, whereas it was given before, with a one-month overlap with the start of radiotherapy.
What kind of research was this?
This was a long-term (10-year) follow-up of a randomised controlled trial looking at the effectiveness of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) given before radiotherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer. The earlier, five-year results of this trial (the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group [TROG] 96.01 trial) suggested that six months of ADT reduced metastases and deaths from prostate cancer.
This study design is the most appropriate way of testing whether a new or modified treatment is better than the current standard treatment, as it is the best way of ensuring that the only difference between the groups is the treatment received.
What did the research involve?
The researchers compared three treatments for locally advanced prostate cancer in 818 men aged 41 to 87 years old.
radiotherapy alone
three months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) plus radiotherapy
six months ADT plus radiotherapy
Participants were randomly assigned to receive one of these treatments and were then followed up for 10 years to observe their outcomes. This type of treatment, where ADT is delivered before and alongside radiotherapy, is called neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (NADT). ADT can also be used for relapses after radiotherapy, though this was not studied in this trial.
Men who had other significant medical illnesses were not eligible to take part, nor men who had previous malignancies or metastases. NADT consisted of two drugs called goserelin (3.6mg given as an injection under the skin once a month) and flutamide (250mg pill given orally three times a day). The group who received three months of NADT started this treatment two months before radiation started. The group who received six months of NADT started this treatment five months before radiation started. All groups received radiation according to the same treatment schedule.
The researchers enrolled 818 men between 1996 and 2000. After 10 years of follow-up, 802 men were available for analysis. After they had received radiotherapy, the men had been assessed every four months for the first two years, then every six months for the next three years. After this, men with no signs of cancer were followed-up annually.
At each visit, the men had a digital rectal examination, and their serum PSA levels were measured (a biochemical marker that is used to monitor prostate cancer recurrence). Men who had signs or symptoms that their cancer might be returning had further investigations as appropriate, such as biopsies and CT scans. If prostate cancer did reoccur, their doctor could offer whatever treatment was appropriate.
The researchers were mainly interested in whether the treatment affected the proportion of men who died from prostate cancer or the proportion who died from any cause. They were also interested in the proportion of men whose PSA levels indicated progression of the disease, who had local progression of their prostate cancer, spread of their cancer elsewhere in the body (distant progression), or needed further treatment, and the length of time the men survived without any of these disease events.
In their analyses, the researchers took into account each participant’s age, initial level of PSA, and the stage of their cancer at the start of the study.
What were the basic results?
During follow-up, there were 334 deaths, of which 159 were due to prostate cancer. There were 33 deaths from prostate cancer in the six-month NADT plus radiotherapy group (11.4%). There were 56 deaths in the three-month NADT plus radiotherapy group (18.9%), and 70 deaths in the radiotherapy alone group (22.0%).
The researchers found that having six months of NADT before radiotherapy reduced the likelihood of men dying from prostate cancer during the 10 years of follow-up, but three months of NADT did not have this effect. The risk of death from prostate cancer during follow-up was 51% lower with six months of NADT plus radiotherapy than with radiotherapy alone (hazard ratio [HR] 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31 to 0.76).
Compared to men who received radiotherapy alone, men who received six months of NADT plus radiotherapy were also less likely to die from any cause during follow-up (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.83), or to experience any disease progression event during follow-up (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.61). Three months of NADT plus radiotherapy did not reduce the risk of death from any cause, or of distant progression of the disease compared with radiotherapy alone. But it did reduce the risk of local progression and the risk of having PSA levels that indicated progression of the disease.
Side effects of NADT were reported to be temporary and only occurred during the NADT treatment, not after. NADT did not appear to exacerbate the adverse effects associated with radiotherapy.
How did the researchers interpret the results?
The researchers concluded that “six months of neoadjuvant androgen deprivation combined radiotherapy is an effective treatment option for locally advanced prostate cancer”.
Conclusion
This long-term follow-up of the TROG 96.01 trial found that having six months of androgen deprivation therapy (goserelin plus flutamide) before radiotherapy reduces the 10-year risk of death among men with locally advanced prostate cancer. The study has a robust design, and it assessed important clinical outcomes – such as the risk of death from prostate cancer – rather than just intermediate outcomes, such as reductions in PSA levels that were the main beneficial outcomes in the previous five-year report of this trial.
One limitation noted by the authors is that the dose of radiotherapy used in their study (66 Gy), which was initiated over a decade ago, was low by modern standards. They say that this increase in radiation dose may have contributed to the improved progression-free survival in men with prostate cancer observed over time. This study cannot prove that NADT would be beneficial when added to a higher dose of radiation. However, this would seem likely, considering the size of the benefit from NADT. The authors also carried out some computer simulations suggesting that six months of ADT might still be beneficial in this context.
This study has helped to resolve some questions about the scheduling and duration of existing ADT treatments. It does not describe a new treatment as suggested by the press, but an alternative way of delivering existing therapy.
Information
This article was originally published by NHS Choices
Июнь 21st, 2010 -- Posted in diets |
Swedish researches reported that only a small number of men who are diagnosed within the early stages of prostate cancer actually die from the disease, even if they have not been treated. This cancer study concluded that even after ten years of dealing with prostate cancer, less than three percent of the victims actually die. This demonstrates the need to remain calm when you have been diagnosed with this low-risk form of cancer.
Cancer researcher Grace Lu-Yao states that there is no real need to panic because prostate cancer is no longer believed to be a fatal disease. Modern prostate screening tests have demonstrated that several forms of prostate cancers are found to never actually develop into a serious disease; thus a removal of the prostate or treatment with radiation may not recommended as they may contain harsh side effects that are far worse than the actual disease itself.
One such study was conducted to track men under the age of seventy years old. After eight years, nearly twenty percent of these men had died; however this number was about the same as those who were not diagnosed with the disease. The final conclusion of the test states that nearly 2.4% of men with this low-risk form of cancer would actually die from the disease within a ten year time period if they did not under go treatment. It is not yet clear how much of a variation this number is from those who had undergone treatment.
Moreover, the usual things, more products, you can beat prostate cancer and stop its development.
As shown by the opening of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, useful antioxidants in red wine and green tea have a combining effect against important cell signaling SphK1/S1P, necessary for tumor growth.
This signaling pathway plays a major role in other cancers such as colon cancer, breast cancer and gastric cancer. It is proved that the compounds in the studied drinks destroy this way and thus serve as an important step forward in the development of anticancer drugs, say U.S. oncologists.
Scientists have conducted laboratory experiments which showed that the path SphK1/S1P a target of polyphenols in the tea and wine, to kill cancer cells in the prostate. Studies conducted on mice with artificially induced, and tumor development, which was given polyphenols extracted from beverages. It was found that the polyphenols reduced tumor growth by blocking the path SphK1/S1P. To mimic the preventive effects of polyphenols, was carried out another experiment using three groups of mice that drank either plain water or water with compounds EGCG in green tea, or with another component of tea called polifenon E. prostate cancer cells were implanted into the body of experimental animals. According to the results, tumor size decreased sharply from those of mice that received EGCG or medicine with polifenonom E.
Ноябрь 19th, 2009 -- Posted in diets, herbs |
Minimize the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Alcohol irritates the ducts and prostate smoking negatively affects the venous blood supply. Permission is granted to no more than 0.5 liters of beer, or 100 grams of vodka (brandy or other spirits), or 200 grams of natural wine a day. No energy and carbonated beverages. All kinds of additives increases the irritation of the prostate and led to its swelling.
Minimum consumption of animal fats. That animal fats are a source of «bad» cholesterol adversely affects the vascular system. This position does not constitute a waiver of meat – for example, pork sturgeon is one of the best sources of protein (about 30%) and contains slightly more fat than chicken breast. It is safe to eat low-fat lamb, beef.
Particular attention is also paid Cruciferae – mustard, parsley, horseradish, parsnip. Their use should be maximized. In other crucifers are excellent means of preventing cancer. They are successfully used in folk medicine for the prevention and treatment of prostatitis.
Maximum consumption of onions and garlic. In any form. Culinary processing removes the unpleasant smell. Useful properties of onion and garlic caused by several factors: improvement in the circulatory system, promote blood circulation, antiparasitic action, etc. In addition to the preventive properties of the bow also increases the potency.
Use of products containing zinc. There are many in the seafood, as well as pumpkin seeds. Zinc is a trace element crucial for the prostate.
The maximum consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits. The body needs natural vitamins. By the way it was in the summer of chronic prostatit in retreat. The reason is simple – human immune system are enhanced by the natural vitamins. Warning High-quality vegetables and fruit should smell and have a pronounced flavor. Tasteless, «soap» peaches, apples, tomatoes or carrots – is the same ballast for the body, as Bush’s legs, grown on hormones. If you can not eat natural fruit and vegetable juice drink (ie juices, nectars and not). Let even if they are made through the restoration of frozen concentrate. Good of juice than from genetically modified fruit.
The diet should be calorie-sufficient and provide your energy needs. The main sources of calories should be protein, full-carbohydrates, vegetable fat, rich in vitamin E.
Use of fermented milk products (Ira, kefir, fermented baked, bifidok, iogurt, curdled finally). Will improve the intestinal flora and enzyme composition of the organism. Improve digestion and overall condition of the body. (Ira, iogurt, curdled finally).
Food additives. There are a million options and a million suggestions. Whatever sophisticated phrases did not use their distributors must always remember that nature is not fooled, and primarily in the food additive is the active ingredient – enzymes, zinc or vitamin E. Packaging, packaging, advertising, the country of production, though space technology – is no more than marketing. So I advocate the principle than a natural and simpler the better. Although of course, if you have the opportunity to purchase superdorogoy (more expensive every 30 Russia’s equivalent) a foreign product, then buy. But I prefer myself and recommend to other natural products as biological additives for the prevention of prostatitis. For example, a source of zinc – pumpkin seeds, a source of vitamin E – a spoonful of olive oil on an empty stomach, a source of enzymes – one or two teaspoons pollen. (For the treatment and prevention require a course on drink 600 grams for 6 weeks, 3 teaspoons a day).
So decide for yourself. In summer you can do without additives.
Dmitry Protasov
Ноябрь 18th, 2009 -- Posted in herbs |
– Dmitry you repeatedly wrote that now is the time collect kidneys black poplar? Why are they so useful? And why do they collect, the most it not be simpler to buy in the drugstore or grandmothers?
Igor, Saint-Petersburg
- Dear Igor, I answer the second question first. I do not know how it happens in St. Petersburg or Moscow, but, for example, in Stavropol, in Krasnodar, in Nalchik, Cherkessk and Maikop in many pharmacies do not ask poplar buds, I personally do not find. I think the same picture and in most cities of Russia. As for grandparents, too, not sure – first, this is not simply to collect poplar buds and branches that grow at a decent height. Secondly, no one knows where collected these kidneys. For example, near the road. So buy them and collect not so simple. Ideal – is when you near the famous, clean place, during the harvesting of kidneys (April-May), cut down a poplar and kidneys can be collected easily in large quantities. At least their piece so I shall. Just reply to the sale of kidneys poplar I do not (use the place, consisting of fees). So, I recommend itself will take care of the harvesting of poplar buds, or ask someone to collect them. The process of mechanization and of course you can, as in the collection of birch buds, but that is another topic
So what good is a poplar buds? Kidneys poplar has bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, softening, expectorant, diuretic (speeds up the excretion of uric acid), antipyretic and sedative action. Due to its bactericidal properties of poplar buds protect the organism against staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, typhoid and other bacteria, and also have contributed to the dissolution of salt deposits and stones in the hollow organs. The composition of kidney poplar is as follows: volatile oil (up to 0,7%), tannins, organic acids, as well as lesser known glycosides.
The spectrum of poplar buds wide. Infusion or tincture of the kidneys used to treat wounds, ulcers, dermatitis, in gynecological practice – when trihomonadnyh obesity. Preparations poplars are inside as a diuretic, which accelerates excretion of uric acid, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory (for arthritis) and sedative. They prescribe for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, inflammation of the bladder, intestinal atony, neuroses, hemorrhoids, gout. Ointments and baths from kidney poplar are used to treat skin diseases, sciatica, rheumatic and gouty pains in the joints.
In a scientific medicine ointment from the kidneys black poplar is sometimes used in surgery as a sedative and astringent. Kidneys black poplar are used for rheumatism, with colds, influenza, lung disease, hemorrhoids, cystitis, beriberi. They say that the poplar buds that are configured to allow vodka overcome tuberculosis and cancer (but I personally have not seen such cured, so I will not recommend. Although tuberculosis – perhaps cancer – doubtful).
In the folk and traditional medicine poplar buds are successfully used as a means to treat various forms of prostatitis.
When prostate 3 teaspoons of chopped kidney poplar pour a glass of boiling water, bring to a boil again, insist the lid for 2-3 hours, strain. Take 2-3 tbsp. spoon of 3-4 times per day before meals.
When combined with prostatitis vezikulitom recommended fitopreparations: burdock root – 5 parts, kidneys black poplar – 3 of the grass and sage – 2 parts. 1 tbsp. l. collection insist 15 minutes in 1 cup boiling water and take in the form of heat for 1 / 3 cup per day for 1 1/2–2 months.
When an adenoma of the prostate help to the infusion of alcohol, and water infusion of poplar buds.
Thanks, essential oils poplar buds can serve as a natural bacteriophage your premises. You can pour a kidney or a tray or put in the water twigs of poplar – a room filled with a resinous pleasant sweet smell. And useful (kills germs) and pleasantly …
Another tip, use poplar buds to supplement your herbal tea. The substances in the kidneys of poplar stimulate the body’s immunity, in addition to medical factors in specific disease (eg, prostatitis) plays a very important role.
Октябрь 30th, 2009 -- Posted in beekeeping |
Information for reflection «Tsernilton» – Swedish drug on the basis of bee pollen, successfully sold worldwide, more than 45 years Situation.
Chronic prostatitis suffer in Russia to 35% of men of working age of 30-45 years. Adenoma of the prostate meets every second man over the age of 50 and 75% of men older than 75 years. Chronic prostatitis and prostate gland adenoma are the most frequent causes of erectile dysfunction.
Men reduced libido, reduced the duration of sexual intercourse, erection is unstable nature. Current long-term chronic prostatitis or adenoma of the prostate lead to impotency and, consequently, severe neurotic disorders in men.
REAL HELPS …
Bee pollen (obnozhka) – one of the most important (along with honey, propolis, wax, uterine milk) products beekeeping. Pollen – obnozhka contains a «bouquet» needed for vital human body vitamins, amino acids and trace elements. Pollen is rich in potassium, iron, copper and cobalt. Contained in the pollen and important trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, manganese, chromium, iodine.
Bee pollen – a rich source of vitamins and above all, vitamins A, E, C, contains a large number of group B vitamins, as well as vitamin D, P, PP, K. lot of pollen phytohormones and substances with antibacterial action. Rich pollen phenolic compounds that have multiple properties: antisclerotic, antiphlogistic, strengthens capillary, antioxidant, diuretic, choleretic, antitumor, etc. In bee pollen also found a number of enzymes, which play an important role in metabolic processes. In pollen found growth stimulator. In general, in pollen contains 50 biologically active substances that can favorably influence on the human body for violations of its functions, and 240 substances that are necessary for the normal course of biochemical processes in the body and to ensure its viability.
Official Medicine suggests …
Bee pollen proved more effective than the present broth and herbs. Widespread use of pollen is as general tonic funds. This is an excellent tool adaptogenic natural origin. Pollen promotes healing, reduces the inflammatory reaction, improves the well-being, normalizes sleep, appetite. Pollen useful weather-sensitive people (improves the body’s adaptation to changes of weather and other external factors). Pollen well restores physical and mental fatigue while working. When used pollen noted the improvement of the blood, enhancing the functions of blood, lowering SOE (the speed of subsidence erythrocytes). Experience has shown that pollen – antianemic excellent tool. When treating anemia pollen seen very rapid increase of erythrocytes and leukocytes in the blood, the amount of hemoglobin (course lasts 1.5 – 2 months with repetition in 2-3 weeks).
A very efficient and pollen as a means antisclerotic. A good effect gives pollen treatment of early hypertension. The average dose of pollen – 1 teaspoon 3 times a day (when using the pollen with honey in a ratio of 1:1, 1 dessert spoon mixture 3 times a day). The course – 3 weeks. After a 2-3 week break course can be repeated. Take pollen hypertension patients better on an empty stomach, then it is more pressure decreases. Pollen is one of the best means to treat hypotension condition ( recommended to accept pollen or a mixture of honey in the same ratio as hypertensive, but after meals).
Admission pollen, as well as pollen with honey gives a positive effect on coronary heart disease, myocardial, miokarditah, miokardiodistrofii, the evils of the heart. It is very effective when pollen reception systematic depletion nervous system, asthenia states vegeto-vascular dystonia. Pollen is effective for treatment of the activities of the gastrointestinal tract. It might well be successfully treated with ulcer disease stomach and duodenum.
Dose pollen is 1 vats spoon 3 times a day. More efficient dust mixed with honey (1:1) – dose mixture 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day. Pollen antitoxic significantly increases the body’s function. The availability of large quantities of vitamins, polyunsaturated. fatty acids bioflavonoidov positively affects the body’s ability to clear toxins falling into it (such as nitrates). This property is used for treatment of pollen himiolrelaratami – pollen, increasing the therapeutic effect of drugs, reducing their toxicity and reduces the side effekty.Pri treating liver diseases pollen improving its functions have already been through 3 – 4 weeks, but for a persistent result pollen (or a mixture of pollen from honey) must be taken within 3 – 4 months, making 2 – 3-week break after 4 – 6 weeks of the course. Particularly with honey mixture of pollen recommended with hepatitis caused by a variety of reasons (ehinokokke liver, liver cirrhosis, etc.) as well as holetsistitah. Dose pollen with honey (1:1) is the first 2 weeks 1 dessert, and in the future – 1 tbsp (divorce in boiled water and drink before a meal) 3 times a day.
Surprising properties led to the effective use of pollen in the treatment of prostatitis, hypertrophy and prostate adenoma. She quickly removes the pain and normalizes the status of patients. The recommended dose of pollen reception – 1 – 1.5 tsp 3 times a day.
Men aged 40-45 years is the same dose recommended for the prevention of pollen prostatitis and prostate adenoma. A useful for patients with gastritis pollen, enteritom and colitis. Other patients by chronic constipation and diarrhea. Dose – 1 – 1.5 tsp a day. The cure – 1 – 1.5 months. And finally, pollen is an excellent tool immunostimuliruyuschim.
Taking pollen on 2 / 3 – 1 tsp 2-3 times per day within 3-4 weeks (dose for children 2 times less), you can forget about the many long catarrhal diseases. Methods of use: Pyltsevoe grain surrounded by a shell by different exceptionally high resistance. To facilitate the process digestion of pollen must: — When pollen used in its pure form dose should be designated to receive, dissolve in the 50-100 ml of boiled water (room temperature) and insist half an hour. If the pollen does not pre-soaked, it should be good to chew well and then swallow. — Pollen mixture of honey can be made advance for the entire duration of treatment – honey very well can the pollen, and extends its activity. The recommended ratio 1:1,5 parts (by volume).
You can apply a mixture of 1 part of pollen and honey 2 parts (with the recommended dose of a single admission should be increased by 3 times compared with the amount of pollen). In 1 tsp placed about 5 g (without the «hill»), in the dessert spoon – 10 grams in tbsp – 15 g pollen. As a rule (except several cases described above), pollen was adopted in half an hour – hour before eating. The latest admission should be no later than 19.00. since pollen provides tonic effect and can disrupt sleep. Especially revealing the positive effects of pollen reception elderly. They fairly soon note a significant improvement in health. Life in modern conditions often leads to depletion of the nervous system, depression, etc. Admission pollen even within a matter of weeks recovery mood, tone life. Storage conditions: product store in a dark place, the term dry storage of pollen – 2 years, pollen in honey – up to 5 years. However, useful properties are lost in proportion to time.
Dm.Protasov
