Complementary approaches to prostate cancer
Important. The following approaches concern the prostate cancer. Several other approaches can help improve the quality of life of people with cancer (for example, acupuncture, massage therapy, and yoga). Consult our Cancer file for an overview of all the most studied approaches. Self-treatment, however, is not recommended. It is recommended to chat with your doctor and to choose therapists who have experience working with people with cancer. |
Prevention | ||
Foods rich in lycopene, soy products (tofu, soy milk) |
| |
Selenium, vitamin E | ||
Processing | ||
Biofeedback (against urinary incontinence after prostate surgery) | ||
lycopene | ||
Prevention
Foods rich in lycopene. According to an analysis by experts from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), there is a sufficient body of evidence in favor of protective effects foods containing lycopene, especially tomato and its derivatives, on prostate cancer44. The effect would increase with the dose, and lycopene would be better absorbed when food is cooked et crushed.
Soy products (soybeans). The prevalence of prostate cancer is relatively low in Asia. The high consumption of soybeans could explain this phenomenon, at least partially45. THE’preventive effect soy products against this cancer has been observed in various studies20,21. Only unfermented products, such as tofu or soy milk, would be effective.
Dosage
According to research, the daily consumption of 80g to 160g of unfermented soy products may have a preventative effect. For more details, see our Soy protein sheet.
Selenium. The results of a clinical trial published in 1996, in which 1 subjects had participated over 312 years (Nutritional Prevention of Cancer Study), suggested that taking suppléments of selenium had a preventive effect against prostate cancer24. However, a large study carried out subsequently was not conclusive. This latest study was funded by the US National Institutes of Health (SELECT study)25. For more information, see our Selenium sheet.
Vitamin E.. The data on the preventive effect of vitamin E, whether provided through the diet or in the form of supplements, are contradictory. Recent studies nevertheless suggest that it would be ineffective, except in smokers.30,32. In 2008, a large-scale clinical trial (SELECT study)34 was even stopped before term: preliminary data indicated that the incidence of prostate cancer was slightly higher in participants who took only vitamin E than in other groups.
Important. Some experts believe that it would be prudent to test for prostate specific antigen (PSA or PSA) in the blood33 before taking antioxidants en suppléments (such as selenium or vitamin E) for the purpose of preventing prostate cancer. A study indicates that when the rate of PSA in the blood is greater than 3 µg / l (indicating that a person has a high risk of prostate cancer), antioxidants are said to haveopposite effect : they would contribute to this type of cancer. |
Processing
Biofeedback (against urinary incontinence). Some men may experience urinary incontinence after having a surgery to the prostate. In a synthesis of studies13, biofeedback is considered to be a treatment that can provide certain benefits to men with this problem. Thus, training the muscles of the pelvic floor, accompanied by biofeedback, would be conducive to better control of the bladder when closely following catheter removal in the postoperative period.
Lycopene. In 2007, the World Cancer Research report concluded, after analyzing studies on the subject, that lycopene slows the development of prostate cancer. This effect would be all the more marked as the stage of cancer is advanced. However, another review of studies published in 2009 indicated that it was impossible to comment on the effects of lycopene as an adjunct treatment in the current state of knowledge.16. The researchers nevertheless pointed out that lycopene could attenuate certain symptoms, as the pain and urination disorders.