Prostate Cancer Survivors

 

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Saw Palmetto

I was wondering about Saw Palmetto. I see several people and sites recommending it as a way to lower your PSA. My question is does it help PCa at all or just lower your PSA. If it just lowers PSA, can it hide PCa getting more agressive. If that is the case could it be dangerous if you are AS(WW). PSA numbers down but cancer growing?

Re: Saw Palmetto

I used Saw Palmetto for a period during my wait & watch phase, which eventually ended with IMRT three years ago. When I asked my urologist about taking it he said the PSA is elevated by a problem, cancer or benign condition. If Saw Palmetto lowers the PSA and does not treat the condition is it going to do you any good? I agreed and quit taking it.

I think it may be better to have a true PSA reading and decisions on how to treat the condition may be better served through that true reading.

Chuck
PA-USA

Re: Re: Saw Palmetto

Prior to the widespread use of PSA testing Saw Palmetto was used to treat what is termed LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Syndrome) – difficulty in passing urine, slow stream etc – what so many men experience as they age. It was successful in some, but not all, cases. Some studies I saw showed beneficial results as high as 90%. The general view in discussions that the saw palmetto reduced the swelling or size of the prostate gland and thus freed up the urethra.

Once PSA testing came in, there was (and still is in many quarters) a view that a high PSA was generated by PCa. As I said above. That is not necessarily so, and there are various formulae and methods used to try to calculate how much of total PSA might be related to PCa and how much to other causes – the free PSA test is one of those methods and there are other tools on the PCRI site.

So, if it is accepted that any PSA level is made up of a mixture of causes and that Saw Palmetto can address some of these, it follows (in my logic) that while Saw Palmetto may well reduce PSA levels in some cases by reducing the inflammation of the gland or affecting an infection or disease in some way, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, I believe that it does not affect, slow down or ‘cure’ PCa.

All the best,

Terry in Australia (where we had a taste of winter last night with snow on the nearby mountains!!)

Re: Saw Palmetto

Let's take it a step further ... a friend with ongoing prostate problems, not PCA (yet) swears that Saw Palmetto with Pumpkin Seed is very effective when problems arise (BPH).

Swearing by the "shotgun" approach I have been taking Saw Palmetto and Saw Palmetto with Pumpkin Seed for several years but recently stopped taking it.

Should I reconsider?

Re: Re: Saw Palmetto

What were you trying to achieve, Phred, and why did you stop?

As I said in my post, I believe that Saw Palmetto is ineffective as a treatment for PCa but may help some men with LUTS.

All the best
Terry in Australia

Re: Saw Palmetto

Terry ... at the time (several years ago) I think I thought it was a good idea to take virtually anything that anyone suggested might help with prostate problems ... even to the point of getting rid of the cancerous cells.

During those years, prior to any treatment or biopsy (just asymptomatic with a very high PSA) I think I was in denial about having prostate cancer.

I stopped taking Saw Palmetto out of frustration and the realization that it probably isn't helping the cancer aspect of the disease.

I asked for and received a well informed friend's view to share

John is a very knowledgeable layman who has done extensive research on the subject of PC and I value his advice and knowledge.

Chuck
PA-USA

Hi Chuck and ALL, - Saw palmetto (SP) is an extract derived from the deep purple berries of the saw palmetto fan palm (Serenoa repens), a plant indigenous to the coastal regions of the southern United States and southern California. There is an estimated one million acres of wild saw palmetto palms in Florida, where the bulk of commercial saw palmetto is grown.

Although more rarely prescribed by conventional Medicine in the United States, it has been used for years in some countries such as Germany, where it is often prescribed as the first line of action in cases of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), which is the natural benign growth of the Prostate that occurs in most men beginning in their 40's. As with so many things having to do with Prostate cancer (PCa) the views of Saw Palmetto effectiveness varies and studies have been mixed in their published results.

Saw Palmetto is a Herb and therefore does not have to meet the rigid U.S. standards for medicinal drugs, nor does it require a prescription. Thanks to an ill advised piece of legislation (my opinion) by those famed (or infamous) Medical EXPERTS, the U.S. Congress, it also falls under NO regulatory examination and compliance as to its production and therefore it's ingredient content and strength can vary substantially, from those stated on its packaging, as has been shown by independent examination.

Earlier medical studies of varying quality around 1998 to 2002, showed some encouraging results that approached those shown by more conventional Prescription Drugs, such as Proscar, which is often prescribed in the U.S. for the treatment of symptoms of BPH. However, a couple of more recent studies in late ‘06 and ‘07 have shown NO better results from SP than from the placebo used in these double blind studies, thereby questioning it’s effectiveness. In fact in one significant double-blind study reported last year, SP was SLIGHTLY less effective than the Placebo used. Thus demonstrating once again that patients often report results that they WANT to believe, rather than that shown by objective measurements, when available. The mind is a powerful factor in results reported by patients in studies and is largely why glowing anecdotal reports are found so unreliable.

So it comes down to whose studies do you believe. From what I have read, it seems likely however, that IF Saw Palmetto has any real benefits in treating symptoms of BPH, it is more likely to occur in the earlier stages of BPH development. To my knowledge, there are no objective studies comparing Saw Palmetto with more aggressive treatments for advanced BPH, like the traditional Trans-Urethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), often called in slang, the “roto-rooter job” or to any of the other more recently introduced approaches.

It probably is not dangerous to use in moderate amounts when used by itself, but there have been some isolated reports of possible interaction with other Herbs or Prescription/OTC medications, including excessive bleeding, so it is always wise to inform your Physician of your intended use.

NOTE: There are NO responsible claims or reports of any benefits attributed to its use in relation to PROSTATE CANCER. As you requested, these are my views and I hope this has been of some help and enlightenment. Be careful out there! – John (aka) az4peaks@newPCa.org

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