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Re: PC Spes, Zyflamend and other herbal treatments
Just to add that simply reducing the psa figure is not the complete answer.
If it is seen as a way of postponing treatment, one could be fooled by a dropping psa. Whilst in fact the P.Ca. is busy mutating and becoming more aggressive.
I recall Uro. who was very wary of such approaches. Masking the true situation does no favours.For Medic or patient.
As supplemental treatment, maybe there is merit in such mixtures. But if the wood is rotten, then another coat of paint won't hold it together for very long.
Re: PC Spes, Zyflamend and other herbal treatments
Rob,
DES is a form of ADT, so it doesn't merely reduce the PSA but, like other forms of this treatment actually starves the tumour of fuel and can therefore be very effective in managing the disease.
There was a good deal of discussion some years ago about herbal supplements, like rooibos tea, Essiac, Saw Palmetto, all of which were said, by some in the medical community, to suppress PSA without affecting PCa. These views were not demonstrably correct in relevant studies.
I think it is very important for everyone to keep bearing in mind that PSA is NOT PCa specific. Of course it can be associated with PCa, but an elevated PSA level is due to some other prostate or bladder problem in the majority of cases. Some of the herbal supplements will help to treat these disorders and will,therefore reduce the PSA level.
The net result therefore is that any residual PSA level may well be a better indicator of any PCa action because the results will not be 'clouded' by the PSA generated by non-PCa events.
For anyone who hasn't been there, a visit to PSA 101 might be helpful in understanding some of the issues
