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  1. I’m 63 years old and was treated with external radiation 2 years ago. I believe the cancer is gone, but I have ED, hypogonadism, and gradual loss of libido along with fatigue, depression and have gained 45 lbs. I've had little success using the "pump" along with Levitra. I do not have a partner, and at times feel that I am trying to adjust to a life of celibacy that has been thrust upon me against my will. I also have pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis. What can I do holistically or nutritionally? Lee

  2. Dr Mark Moyad's book, "Promoting Wellness for Prostate Cancer Patients," lists farm raised salmon as having far more omega-3 per serving than wild salmon. Isn't wild salmon is better than farm salmon, especially for PC patients. Also he puts canola oil in the list of "healthy oils out there". I thought PC patients should avoid canola oil. Ted

  3. I have had a steady psa of 2.5 for 5 years. I am 59 years old. I now have an abnormal dre and my doctor is recommending a biopsy. Is if there is an alternative to a biopsy?

  4. I've recently been diagosed with Prostate Cancer. Gleason was 3+3 Cancer in 3 out of 12 of the biopsies Stage is T1c I'm 72 years of age Which treatment plan would you suggest?

  5. My husband has stage 2 prostate cancer; preparing to begin external radiation in December. He is very leary of holistic medicine...I, on the other hand believe holistic medicine has at the very least an important support function. Can you give me an idea what types of things might be helpful, so I can ask his docs about them?

  6. My husband had a radical prostectomy on 7/14/2009. Gleason 4+3 with 2mm postive margin and possible extraprostatic extension. PSA now less than 0001. Oncologist recommends adjuvent radiation now. We may opt just to monitor with ultrasensitive assay. No red meat, processed food etc. I have him taking POM wonderful capsules daily, 5mg citrus pectin,and a tumeric/cayenne mixture. I was thinking of adding Matike D fraction and Indol 3 Carbonol. What do you think? My understanding is that the pomegranite and citrus pectin may slow doubling. I have read research on cayenne/tumeric killing cancer cells. Any direction or information you have would be helpful. Thanks Claire

  7. Is there a drug interaction between Lupron and Casodex with Policosanol or Gymnema Sylvestre? In other words,is it contraindicated to take Policosanol and Gymnema Sylvestre with Lupron or Casodex.

  8. What nutrients would you suggest to slow down prostate cancer with a PSA doubling time of about two years?

  9. I have a family history of prostate cancer. I have recently modified my diet as follows: no red meat, only a very little dairy, relatively high fiber diet, lots of fruit and vegetables, 1000 i.u. of Vitamin D3 every day, 8 oz of pomegranate juice per day, broccoli sprouts a few times a week, a glass of red wine every night, cooked tomato sauce at least 2x per week, fish for dinner at least 2x a week, and usually 3x. What more can/should I do by way of diet to reduce my risk of prostate cancer? Also, : I have been cooking using olive oil, but I saw in another response that you do not recommend that. I thought extra virgin olive oil was the best for health?

  10. A side-effect of Lupron, Trelstar, etc. is muscle loss. The December 2009 edition of "Nutrition Action" speaks favorably of the compound "creatine" as a "safe" aid to muscle-building. But is it "safe" for someone with advanced prostate cancer? I'd like to not lose any more muscle than I already have, but I don't want to do anything that might work against Trelstar's holding my cancer in place. Any thoughts on creatine and prostate cancer?

  11. In the course of the last 15 years, I've seen 3 urologists for various issues, from vasectomy to kidney stones. In each case I made them aware of my family's history of prostate cancer. My paternal uncle died from it. My father had surgery at 74. My oldest brother has had bracytherapy. Another older brother is still deciding on his treatment option and third brother had da Vinci surgery. Although the cancers my brothers have are more recent, at NO TIME in the course of 15 years has a single urologist made concrete suggestions on lifestyle changes, such as diet or weight loss, or dietary supplements, or medicines, that might have prevented the development of prostate cancer, which I now have too. So my question - and challenge - is, why is the urological establishment so deficient in offering this advice? To my mind it borders on malpractice.

  12. I am just completing open beam radiation therapy and am optiimistic I will, be cancer-free. I had a 5.7 PSA, 3+3, T1, 25% of one out of 12 samples biopsied malignant. However, I have also been rendered incontinent, impotent and in great pain, even before I started the radiation therapy. I was going to do brachytherapy, so I had a Lupron shot and then felt hustled into having a TUMT done. After the catheter was removed, the troubles began. And have only gotten worse. My urologist wants me to learn to self-catheterize, which I find barbaric. He claims I have a urinary tract infection from not emptying the bladder fully, which apparently I haven't done for years. I've gone through 3 courses of antibiotics (cipro, levaquin and nitrofurantin) and I am still "peeing razorblades." Would you suggest waiting until the radiation swelling goes down (late Dec.) or is there anything I can do now to try to get back on track? I dread going through another TUMT-like procedure such as the greenlight laser, but I'd like to get a portion of my health back. I'm 64, married, BTW.

  13. I've just been diagosed with prostate cancer. Doctors report says: reviewed 12 H&E slides and one immunostained slide A-L representing prostrate needle biopsies from the above-named patient; a 71 old male. Slide B,which is to said to come from the left lateral mid,contains a focus of prostatic adenocarcinoma,Gleason 6(3+3) involving one of one core with a linear dimension of approximately 0.8mm which represents 7% OF of th tissue submitted.A corresponding immunohistochemical stain for high molecular weight cytokcratin falls lo demonstrate a basal cell layer in the neoplastic glands,supporting a malignant diagnosis.Slide G which is said to come from the right base,contains high-grade prostatic,intraepithefial neoplasia(PIN).The remainder of the biopsies contain benign prostatic tissue.My doctor recommends IMRT radiation. I am thinking about seed implant,or to do nothing.What treatment would you recommend,and side effect of the treatment.I am in good health with no urinary problem.Thank You.

  14. I am 55. I was treated in 2002 with proton radiation. PSA prior to treatment was 6.1 , gleason was 3+4. After treatment PSA has been negligible until the last few years. My PSA's over the last 3 years have been, .27,.47,.69,1.06,1.43,1.66, and 2.64 in Nov 2009. I had biopsie in Jan. 2009, 8 samples (16mg prostate volume) negative. Bone scan Mar. 2009, negative. CT scan March 2009, negative. I am not sure what course of action to take. Another biopsie, Cryo salvage, watch and wait, HIFU, etc.?

  15. I appreciate your article "Integrative Medicine and Prostate Cancer: A Look at the Currently Available Evidence" in the November issue of PCRI Insights as a guide to complementary medicine. My question concerns the research of biochemist Bharat B. Aggarwal, Ph.D., of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on curcumin. The publications I discovered about it online are http://www2.mdanderson.org/depts/oncolog/articles/07/9-sep/9-07-2.html and http://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/pdf/NMJ_DEC09_RI.pdf What Dr. Aggarwal says about curcumin is, “There has been a substantial amount of research on turmeric's anti-cancer potential. Evidence from laboratory and animal studies suggests that curcumin has potential in the treatment of various forms of cancer, including prostate, breast, skin, and colon. Human studies will be necessary before it is known to what extent these results may apply to people.” This seems reliable and well documented. My question is whether you agree and, if so, why you did not cite it. Is there something wrong here that I do not understand. Barbara

  16. I am a heterosexual prostate cancer sueviver 2 yrs since I was diagnosed 1 yr 10 months since radical prosectomy tolerable small leaking problem BIG problem ED tried cialis Viagra NO result don't want implant or pump injection works but is very painful and non spontaneous masturbation yes with great orgasms it's a big deal for me do I have any chance of full recovery? Are there any other options out there for me? Thanks

  17. Iam 62 had robotic prostate surgery one month ago, gleason 3+3=6 T1 and the tumor was encasulated. I having incontinence. Is any suplement or diet that I should follow in order to go back to continence soon.

  18. What are the best vitamins or supplements ( not drugs ) that you can take to help prevent prostate cancer. thanks ed briggs

  19. Dear Dr. Espinosa. My father-in-law, Fernando, is dying of prostate cancer. He is 91 years old, was diagnosed about 3 months ago and the doctor said he has 2-6 months left of life. He lives in Central America and the family we have overthere has not been able to obtain information we need from his doctor about the en-of-life cycle. We are deeply concerned at the same time that we are already grieving and managing his care. Fernando is in bed, unable to get up, barely able to move, refuses to eat or drink more than a couple of small bites or a sip of water. And now, he has not passed stools for about 3 days. He is responsive, but appears to have no energy and complains a lot of pain. His cancer is at a "final" stage; is has metastasized to the sacral spine and the bladder. What we are desperate to know is what we can expect as he dies of cancer. What changes will his body go through? Will pain increase? Will he eventually stop speaking? Will he lose consciousness/will he be able to hear us/understand us? Is it normal for him to lose the ability to pass stools? We have searched and searched everywhere - books, the interned, asked doctors - and no one can explain any of this to us. Any information you can share will be deeply appreciated. Yours truly, Ceci Martinez

  20. My doctor says that considering my high PSA and the feel of the lump from the DRE my cancer probability is about 90%, but he wants to do a 12 needle biopsy to make sure. I know this is the normal procedure but I have also heard stories that a biopsy has a slight chance of spreading the cancer, and considering that I will have blood in my urine, semen and bowell afterwards this seems plausible. Is there any chance at all of this happening?

  21. Dear Dr. Epinosa, I am writing on behalf of my father. He was diagnosed with PC in November of 2009, he had RP in December 2009, post op path report was Gleason 7, T3A. His 5 week PSA came back at .55. The doctor wants to start him on hormone therapy and two months IMRT. How likely is it that his cancer is confined to the prostate bed? what are his chances for a cure? Was it too early to check psa? Sorry for the many questios, I just got so excited that there is someone who can finally answer all my questions. Lynne

  22. I have psoriatic arthritis and high grade PIN with small cell acinor proliferation on one core. Unfortunately, previous use of NSAIDS created very sensitive stomach lining, gastritis, for which i am still on nexium. I am wondering which,if any ,of the supplements that you mention that may be of value for both inflammation and cancer- e.g boswellia, curcumin, zyflamed, and quercitin- are irritating for those with gastritis issues or are gastric neutral.thank you.

  23. Please tell me of anything that is available for prostate cancer that has metastastic to bones. and how long do these type of persons live?? approx. My dad is 62 originally diagnosed july 2008 had a turp, and hormone therapy, year later it showed up in his bones.. Now what should we do?

Publication of this information is not intended to take the place of medical care or the advice of your doctor. Always consult with your health care provide before using any of the advice offered here.

Ask Dr. Espinosa

Geo Espinosa, N.D., L.Ac, CNS, RH (AHG) is the Director of the Integrative Urological Center at New York University Langone Medical Center. Before joining NYU, Dr. Espinosa was a clinician, researcher and director of clinical trials at the Center for Holistic Urology at Columbia University Medical Center. He is a licensed naturopathic doctor, licensed acupuncturist, a Certified Nutrition Specialist and a Registered Herbalist. Dr. Espinosa is an author of the naturopathic entry in 1000 Cures for 200 ailments, by Harper Collins; March 2007 and “Prostate cancer – Nutrients that may slow its progression,” Food and Nutrients in Disease Management - Maryland: Cadmus Publishing, 2009.

Ask Dr. Myers

Medical oncologist and prostate cancer survivor, Dr Charles "Snuffy" Myers was a key player in creating AZT, Suranim, and Phenylacetate while working at the National Institute of Health. With over 250 research papers published, Myers is one of the leading developers of today's prostate cancer canon on both the research and treatment side of the test tube. Former Cancer Director at the University of Virginia, Myers opened the American Institute for Diseases of the Prostate in 2002 to provide men with the kind of comprehensive care that saved his own life. Dr. Myers has long been popular among prostate cancer patients as a speaker because of his ability to explain science and medicine in easy-to-understand language.

Ask Dr. Latini

Dr. Latini welcomes your questions about the psycho-social dimensions of Prostate Cancer, particularly those presented by Gay and Bisexual men. Dr. Latini is an assistant professor of urology at Baylor College of Medicine. Before joining Baylor, he spent six years in the Department of Urology at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Latini is a clinical health psychologist whose work concentrates on cancer survivorship and symptom management for persons living with genitourinary cancer.