Although prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among American men, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men over the age of 75 not undergo screening for this condition. And, if you are younger than 75, the agency concedes there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against prostate cancer screening. Given the uncertainty surrounding the diagnosis and management of this disease, many American men are seeking alternative ways, such as using Pygeum africanum, to prevent prostate cancer. Consult with your physician before adding pygeum to your daily regimen.
Risk Factors
"The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy" reports that the risk for prostate cancer increases with each decade of life, with more than 75 percent of prostate cancers being diagnosed in men over the age of 65. Your risk also increases with each first-degree relative -- a brother or father -- who was diagnosed with prostate cancer before 65 years of age. Black men have the highest risk for prostate cancer. It is unknown if pygeum or any other supplement reduces your prostate cancer risk.
Pygeum
Pygeum africanum, also known as Prunus africana, is a member of the plum family. Extracts from its bark have been used in Europe for treating and preventing prostate disorders, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A study published in the February 2007 issue of "Endocrine" demonstrated that pygeum extract also inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells, both in test tubes and in animal models. However, pygeum has not been shown to prevent or cure prostate cancer.
Mechanism
Hormonal stimulation of androgen receptors (AR) in your prostate gland plays a pivotal role in normal prostate development and in the genesis of prostate diseases, such as BPH and prostate cancer. Substances that block ARs could be useful agents for managing these disorders. A January 2011 review in "Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology" states that atraric acid and N-butylbenzene-sulfonamide, both active constituents of pygeum bark, effectively block ARs in prostate tissue. It remains to be seen if pygeum will prove useful for managing prostate cancer.
Considerations
Pygeum bark extract is one of several herbal remedies used as an alternative treatment for prostate conditions. Saw palmetto is among the best-studied of these agents, but no herbal remedy, including saw palmetto and pygeum, has reliably demonstrated the capacity to prevent or cure any prostate condition. Most studies evaluating pygeum's effects have used tissue culture or animal models, so the optimal dosage for humans has not been ascertained. One 1999 study involving 209 French men utilized 100 mg of pygeum daily. Ask your doctor if pygeum is appropriate for you.
References
- "Cancer"; Cancer Statistics, 2010; A. Jemal, et al.; July 2010
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Screening for Prostate Cancer
- "The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 18th Edition: Prostate Cancer"; Mark H. Beers, M.D., Editor-in-Chief; 2006
- "Endocrine"; Phytosterol Pygeum Africanum Regulates Prostate Cancer in Vitro and in Vivo; N.S. Shenouda, et al.; February 2007
- "Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology"; The Natural Compounds Atraric Acid and N-butylbenzene-sulfonamide as Antagonists of the Human Androgen Receptor and Inhibitors of Prostate Cancer Cell Growth; D. Roell, et al; January 2011
- "Urology"; Comparison of Once and Twice Daily Dosage Forms of Pygeum Africanum Extract in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study, with Long-Term Open Label Extension; C. Chatelain, et al.; September 1999
