Green tea could delay prostate cancer: U.S. study

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Active compounds in green tea may slow down the progression of prostate cancer, researchers reported on Friday.

Capsules made using green tea extracts called polyphenols lowered levels of proteins that tumors use to grow, the researchers found.

Made by Polyphenon Pharma, the capsules called Polyphenon E contain epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, a green tea extract that has antioxidant properties.

Jim Cardelli of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport and colleagues tested 26 prostate cancer patients, aged from 41 to 68.

Each took four Polyphenon E capsules a day -- equivalent to drinking 12 cups of green tea -- for about a month before they had their prostates removed.

Blood tests showed levels of three proteins associated with the growth and spread of prostate cancer fell. Hepatocyte growth factor or HGF fell 18.9 percent on average, vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF fell by 9.9 percent and prostate specific antigen PSA fell by 10.4 percent, they reported in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.

HGF and VEGF are produced when tumors spread and some patients showed "significant" reduction levels of more than 30 percent, Cardelli said.

Few side effects were reported and liver function of the patients remained normal.

"It's still in an early stage. Green tea can keep cancer from growing very fast, but it may not be able to shrink tumors," Cardelli said in a telephone interview.

"But it can be a good addition to traditional therapies, like chemo (chemotherapy) or radiation."

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men. The American Cancer Society projects prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 192,280 men and will kill 27,360 in 2009.

The test in 26 prostate cancer patients was a small trial and bigger studies would be needed to confirm the results.

(Reporting by I-Ching Ng; Editing by Maggie Fox and Eric Walsh)
© Copyright (c) Reuters

Eat your way to a healthy prostate

There is growing scientific evidence that strongly suggests diets rich in certain foods can help prevent prostate cancer and its spread.

There is also evidence to indicate the harmful effect of other foods. Prostate cancer is often slow to develop and spread, so strategies that can influence its progression are worth considering.
For those with the condition, a controlled diet may provide the only means of active treatment. Here we untangle the science and show how, by following our tips and enjoying recipes by celebrity chefs from Raymond Blanc to Gordon Ramsay, you can improve the health of your prostate.

Each year there are 35,000 new diagnoses of prostate cancer. It is the most common cancer to affect men in the UK with about 80 per cent having evidence of prostate cancer at post-mortem examination, although it accounts for only 12 per cent of male cancer deaths.
Prostate cancer has become more common during the past two decades, though this is partly due to more widespread screening.

The numbers vary greatly between countries, with the highest rates reported in the U.S. and Sweden and the lowest in Japan, India and China.

This reported variation may also be partly due to differences in the availability of screening and detection techniques, but it is widely accepted that at least some of it is due to differences in diet.
WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE PROSTATE DO?

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system and its function is to secrete a fluid that forms a constituent of semen.

This fluid is alkaline and protects sperm from the acidity inside the female reproductive organs. The prostate also contains muscles that help to expel semen during ejaculation.
Sexual dysfunction, fertility problems and incontinence are common problems experienced once the prostate has been removed, which is why this is not done unless absolutely necessary.

By Professor Margaret RaymanLast updated at 11:48 PM on 08th August 2009.

No Cheers For Prostate Cancer

Might alcohol consumption affect the risk of prostate cancer?

A study analysed data on 10,920 men. In a seven-span, prostate cancer was detected in 2,129 of them, including 564 men with high-grade tumours, which grow and spread quickly. Those who consumed, on average, four or more drinks a day (totally rougly two ounces or more pure alcohol) five days a week in the year before diagnosis were more than twice as likely to have developed high-grade prostate cancer as were those who did not drink.

No link was found between prostate cancer and more-moderate drinking. Also, among men who had been randomly assigned to take finasteride as part of other research to test the drug's ability to prevent prostate cancer, heavy drinking blocked the effectiveness of the drug.

Who may be affected? Men. Health experts suggest that men consume no more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Drinking more raise the risk for high blood pressure, stroke, violence and injuries, including motor vehicle crashes, and can lead to addiction. Prostate cancer affects about on in six men in the United States. As detection and treatment methods have improved, the death rate for prostate cancer had fallen to about one in 35 men.

Caveats: Alcohol consumption data came from the men's responses to questionnaires, and long-term consumption was not assessed. Most heavy drinkers in study consumed beer.

You can find this study in the July 13 online issue of cancer. Learn more about prostate cancer at 1) http://www.cancer.gov/ 2) http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/ and 3) http://www.care-nexus.com/