One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
One man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. While not intended as a complete cure for the disease, natural therapies may be used in conjunction with more traditional methods in the treatment of prostate cancer.
The Facts
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system that helps produce semen. According to the 2001 California Cancer Journal for Clinicians, about 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, with 32,000 deaths annually. Surgery and radiation therapies are the most common treatment options.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the placement of needles in certain locations of the body which release chemicals that may improve healing. While no long-term studies are available regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in prostate cancer, it may help relieve stress, cancer pain, and chemotherapy nausea.
Dietary Therapies
Although controversial, dietary therapies may delay the onset of prostate cancer and help slow the growth of cancer that has already begun. The effects of lycopene, a strong antioxidant found in cooked tomatoes, soy products, green tea, and pomegranate juice, are currently under study.
Antioxidant vitamins and herbal supplements are additional natural remedies which have not been studied long-term.
Magnetic Therapy
Some patients and caregivers believe that the north pole of magnets can help decrease the growth of a tumor. Patients treat themselves by sitting on a pad that contains magnets.
Warnings
The effectiveness of natural remedies is under debate. While some patients claim that these treatments have benefits, many medical practitioners feel that such therapies give patients false hope. Natural remedies may also interfere with the effectiveness of some traditional treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy.
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