The price of deprivation It turns out that one of the most common treatments for may not be so effective after all. In fact, patients who undergo this therapy still remain at significant risk of dying from the disease. The treatment, called androgen depravation therapy, involves shutting down the male hormones that can promote prostate cancer growth. It is the standard therapy for advanced prostate cancer and has been gaining ground as a treatment for localized cancer as well. But even though more physicians are now recommending androgen deprivation therapy for localized prostate cancer, a study funded by the National Cancer Institute has found that it may not be the best answer. Researchers looked at a subgroup of 276 men who were enrolled in the Prostate Cancer Outcome Study between 1994 and 1995. The men had localized prostate cancer and had received androgen deprivation therapy as their primary treatment. The researchers found that nearly 10 percent of the men died from prostate cancer within five years of starting hormone therapy. The side effects of the therapy include erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, osteoporosis, high cholesterol, anemia, forgetfulness, and insomnia. To learn more about natural ways to fight prostate cancer, see the November 2005 and April 2006 issues of Nutrition & Healing.
Cluster buster
Q: My brother sometimes experiences debilitating cluster headaches. Is there anything that can help? JVW: Lithium can reduce both the severity and frequency of cluster headaches. It doesn't work for everyone, and it doesn't necessarily provide the same level of relief for everyone. (Some have complete elimination of their headaches, while others have significant improvement.) But there is a good chance that it will help, and since there are so few other options available, it's worth a try. He'll need to work with a physician skilled in natural medicine to find the right dose and monitor his progress. For a list of holistic physicians in your area, contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine at (800)532-3688 or visit their website, www.acam.org.
What are...cluster headaches?
Cluster headaches are one of the most painful types of headaches. During an attack, the pain is usually on one side of the head, most commonly around the eye, temple, and side of the head. Cluster headaches usually occur at night, waking the person up from sleep. While the attacks happen relentlessly for weeks to months at a time, remissions can last for months or even years. The cause is a mystery, but men and heavy smokers are more prone to suffer from cluster headaches. Sources:
"Abstract No. 291: Predictors of overall and cancer-specific survival in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer treated with primary androgen deprivation therapy: Results from the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Study," Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute, presented at the Prostate Cancer Symposium, San Francisco, CA, 2/25/06
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