Cancer Statistics
Prostate cancer continues to be the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Lung cancer remains number one. One out of every 11 men eventually will develop prostate cancer but many of these cancers are very slow growing and won't result in the individual's death. Fast-growing tumors, however, can be very aggressive and will often metastasize to distant parts of the body within a matter of weeks.
Any time a cancer metastasizes, it becomes far more difficult to treat and unfortunately, almost half of all prostate cancers metastasize to the bone. Researchers at Wayne State University School of Medicine have published information that may help save the lives of thousands of prostate cancer patients who would otherwise die from these metastases.
How Does Cancer Spread?
Tumors spread or metastasize basically by three methods: 1) the tumor can spread into other tissues by simply growing and branching into the surrounding tissue; 2) tumor cells can spread through the lymph system, resulting in new tumor growth in local and distant lymph nodes; 3) cells from the tumor can detach and enter the bloodstream where they can spread throughout the body and much like "seeds," form new tumor growth. Once in the patient's bloodstream, these seeds can invade practically any organ in the body.
The prognosis of patients with metastasized prostate tumors is less promising than that of patients whose tumor has remained confined to the gland. With current conventional medical therapy, metastasized prostate cancer is considered incurable. Therefore, keeping a prostate tumor from metastasizing could mean the difference between life and death.
How to Stop Prostate Cancer from Spreading
Dr. Kenneth Pienta and his colleagues discovered that when "modified" citrus pectin is given orally to laboratory animals, it can help stop the metastasis of prostate tumors. While the effects of modified citrus pectin are somewhat complicated, it became clear to Dr. Pienta they were more pronounced with larger doses. The pectin in this study, however, did nothing to prevent the growth or formation of the primary tumor, regardless of the amount given. (J Natl Cancer Inst 95;87[5]:331-2.)
Additional studies have also been completed and in laboratory experiments it appears that modified citrus pectin may also interfere with the metastasis of other cancer cells. The tests involved cancerous tissue from the breast, the throat and the skin (melanoma). [Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res 95;36A377]
In a more recent study, 50 mice were orally administered either 1 mL distilled water (controls), low-dose (0.8 mg/mL) QC (quercetin chalcone), high-dose (1.6 mg/mL) QC, low-dose (0.8 mg/mL) MCP (modified citrus pectin) or high-dose (1.6 mg/mL) MCP on a daily basis, beginning the first day of tumor palpation (usually eight days post-implantation).
A significant reduction in tumor size was noted at day 20 in all groups compared to controls. The groups given low-dose QC and MCP had a 29% (NS) and 38% (p<0.02) decrease in size, respectively. The high-dose groups had an even more impressive reduction in size; 65% in the QC group and 70% in the mice given MCP (both p<0.001).
This was the first evidence that MCP can reduce the growth of solid primary tumors, and the first research showing QC has antitumor activity. [Altern Med Rev 2000;5(6):546-552]
Although additional research on these substances and their effect on human cancers is warranted and despite the fact that pectin is totally non-toxic, the National Cancer Institute and other agencies are wanting dozens of additional animal studies before any testing begins on humans.
Modified citrus pectin has no ill effects and it can be administered orally in drinking water. Even though they can't offer patients any alternative, the National Cancer Institute and other agencies won't openly recommend this form of treatment.
What is Citrus Pectin
Citrus pectin is basically a harmless fiber that provides the framework for fruits like oranges and grapefruits. For the most part, the body's digestive enzymes have a very difficult time breaking down pectin. Once it reaches the large intestine, however, certain bacterial enzymes are able to split it into smaller fragments. Dr. Cerda of the University of Florida has shown that in its transformed state, it can help lower cholesterol levels and actually reverse heart and artery disease. To learn more about Dr. Cerda's work with citrus pectin, refer to Alternatives Vol. 5, Nos. 9 & 12, available from Mountain Home Publishing, P.O. Box 829, Ingram, Tx 78025 at 800-527-3044.
How to Use MCP
The recommended adult dosage is 10 to 15 gm a day or about 1 tsp taken two or three times daily. At these dosages, 1 lb of powder will last about a month. It is also available in capsules. One source of modified citrus pectin is PectaSol, which comes in capsule and powder form.
Other Important Studies
Until the mid 1990s, citrus pectin (or pulp) was just a waste product. Now, one form has the remarkable ability to reverse heart disease. And in another form, it can help stop the spread of cancer. D-limonene is a major constituent of orange-peel oil. D-limonene in test animals has been shown to regress greater than 80% of breast tumors without toxicity.
In 1994, toxicity studies were performed on humans. Seven subjects ingested 100 mg/kg limonene in a custard. Blood was drawn at 0 and 24 hours for chemistry-panel analysis and at 0, 4, and 24 hours for limonene-metabolite analysis. The researchers concluded that at a dose of 100 mg/kg, limonene caused no gradable toxicity. [Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 94;35:31-37.]
In another study researchers found that regularly drinking hot black tea reduced the incidence of skin cancer. Compared to those who didn't drink tea, the tea drinkers had a 40% reduction in squamous cell carcinoma. Even more exciting and ralative to the above information, those who added a twist of citrus peel to their tea experienced a 70% reduction in skin cancer. They also experienced a 70% reduction in severe sunburns. [Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 01;10:667-78]
Perhaps we should change the old saying to, "An orange a day keeps the doctor away." Another interesting article: PSA Levels in Relation to Prostate Cancer
