Prostate cancer is the is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, most cases can be successfully treated if caught early enough. Prostate cancer is either treated with hormone therapy designed to shrink the tumor or surgery to remove cancerous tissue. Cranberry may play a role in the treatment of prostate cancer, although little scientific evidence supports its use. Alternative medicine is not meant to replace conventional cancer treatments. Talk to your doctor before using cranberry to treat prostate cancer.
Characteristics
Cranberries are the fruit produced by a shrublike plant native to North America. These fruit have been used to treat a number of medical conditions, including gum disease and urinary tract infections. Extracts of cranberries may also prevent tumor cells from multiplying, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Efficacy
Clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness of cranberry in treating prostate cancer are limited. However, a study published in 2006 in "Nutrition and Cancer" notes that flavonoid-containing extracts of cranberries may arrest cancer cell growth and may even destroy cancer cells. In addition, data published in the October 2010 issue of the "Journal of Cellular Biochemistry" shows that compounds found in cranberry fruit, known as proanthocyanidins, may hold promise in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Use
You can consume the fruit of the cranberry plant as a food or as a juice. In addition, the fruit is available in a number of herbal products, including teas, tinctures and capsules. If you are considering using cranberry as part of your cancer treatment regimen, talk to your doctor first about how much you should take and whether it is suitable for you.
Side Effects
Cranberry products are likely safe for most people, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. However, taking large amounts of cranberry may cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea.
Contraindications
Do not use cranberry alongside anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin, as it may increase the risk of bleeding. Cranberry may also interact with the immunosuppressant cyclosporin. Check with your doctor before using cranberry to ensure it does not interact with any other drugs you may be taking.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Prostate Cancer
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Cranberry
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
- PubMed: In Vivo Inhibition of Growth of Human Tumor Lines by Flavonoid Fractions from Cranberry Extract
- PubMed: Proanthocyanidins from the American Cranberry (Vaccinium Macrocarpon) Inhibit Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activity in Human Prostate Cancer Cells Via Alterations in Multiple Cellular Signalling Pathways
