prostate cancer
DESCRIPTION
Morwenna discusses the role of herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of prostrate cancer.TRANSCRIPT
13/04/2023
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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
13/04/2023
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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
13/04/2023
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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.
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THANK YOU
MORWENNA GIVEN WWW.MEDICUSHERBIS.COM
© 2012