How to Find Alternative Therapies to Treat Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a malignant cancer tumor that originates in and spreads from a man's prostate gland. Many men find traditional treatments, such as surgery, risky and invasive, and choose to seek alternative therapies to treat their condition.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Oncologist

1. Know that surgery, radiation treatments and chemotherapy are the most common therapies used to treat prostate (and all other) forms of cancer. If you have received a positive diagnosis, you should learn all you can about conventional treatment methods before considering alternatives.

2. Reduce your testosterone levels using hormone therapy as an alternative treatment. The spread of prostate cancer can be inhibited by low levels of testosterone in the bloodstream. Orally-administered hormone pills are the most common method of using hormone therapy, though be aware that removal of the testicles is also favored as a way to reduce the body's testosterone production.

3. Treat your cancer symptoms using holistic or natural alternative medicine techniques. Ancient theories of medicine hold that illnesses are caused by fundamental imbalances in bodily energy, and the theories seek to cure disease by restoring a correct energy balance (acupuncture is probably the most familiar of these techniques). It may help to discuss your prostate cancer case with practitioners of holistic and natural therapies.

4. Get more vitamins in your diet or take vitamin supplements. Scientists have cited Vitamins A, B, C, E and especially Vitamin D as useful in treating prostate cancer.

5. Add minerals to your list of dietary supplements. Selenium, calcium and magnesium have all been shown to carry cancer-fighting properties.

6. Use herbal treatments. Omega-3 fatty acids and primrose oil both have significant anti-cancer properties. Remember, though, that the dietary and herbal remedies suggested in these steps are supplementary, not primary, treatments for prostate cancer.

7. Volunteer to participate in clinical trials. These usually involve the use of experimental or new therapies, though you should know that they come with no guarantees and may produce serious side effects.

8. Rest and maintain healthy eating habits. The importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle when fighting cancer cannot be overstated, and it's never too late to start living better. This is especially important for individuals who have a history of smoking, drinking or unhealthy eating.

Tips & Warnings

• Know that your right to determine your own treatment is guaranteed by law. You are allowed to make the final decision regarding which prostate cancer treatments you do and do not pursue, and your employer is prohibited from taking disciplinary action against you for taking time off to be treated.

• It is normal for patients to feel depressed and anxious about their cancer diagnosis. However, you are urged to join a support group or seek treatment from a mental health professional if such feelings seem more severe than you anticipated. You'll need a sound mind for your fight against cancer.