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Prostate
Cancer: Health clue for the boys Submitted by Chris Winn You've probably seen it in the news over the past few years. Golf legend Arnold Palmer, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and Retired General Norman Schwarzkopf ...all survivors of prostate cancer. But they're among the lucky ones. From this month through the end of the year, more than 17,000 men in America alone will die of this disease, and unfortunately those figures have been steadily on the rise for the past decade. And now a number of large research efforts are now underway to reverse the upward trend of prostate cancer fatalities. If you're a man over the age of 40, this cause needs to be your cause. The good news is that you can easily begin to lower your risk today just by adding a single vitamin supplement to your diet. The Amazing E Researchers have known for some time that vitamin E can help lower the risk of the development and spread of prostate cancer. But until now, it was not known exactly why vitamin E helped while other antioxidant vitamins proved to be ineffective against this disease. First, some background. Let's start with PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, a protein that is the primary marker of the cancer. Men over age 40 are encouraged to have their PSA level checked annually through a simple blood test to assess their risk of prostate cancer. A "normal" PSA level is below 4.0 ng/l (nanograms per liter); anything above 10.0 ng/l is considered a cause for concern. That's because higher PSA levels indicate the presence of androgen receptor (AR), a testosterone receptor that must be present in the cell for cancer to grow. When AR is present and active, PSA levels climb. Last month a team of researchers from the University of Rochester reported that their laboratory research of human prostate cancer cell cultures demonstrated a prostate cancer vulnerability that was previously unknown. The researchers discovered that vitamin E inhibits AR activity in prostate cancer cells, which in turn decreases the PSA. More important, however, is the ability of vitamin E to regulate or completely halt the genes responsible for the cancer's ability to grow -- because many of those genes grow only when activated by AR. In fact, the research demonstrated that the PSA levels can drop by as much as 80 to 90 percent when prostate cancer cells are exposed to vitamin E, an indication that the cell growth is slowed considerably. Further, vitamin E decreases the number of cancer cells as well, typically by 25 to 50 percent and sometimes even as high as 90 percent. No excuses! E is easy to get Two other important notes from the University of Rochester team focus on vitamin supplements. First, the researchers found that the effects of vitamin E on prostate cancer may be improved when used with other natural treatments such as selenium and vitamin D. And second - and perhaps more important - the type of vitamin E known as vitamin E succinate (or alpha-tocopheryl succinate) was shown to be the most effective in halting prostate cancer cells. In other words, if you drop by your health food store and pick a bottle of E at random off the shelf, you may be getting a less effective synthetic variety of the vitamin. So read your labels before you buy, and look for the natural vitamin E succinate. There are also a number of good food sources of vitamin E, including dark green leafy vegetables, avocados, whole grains, nuts, dried beans, vegetable oils, seafood, eggs, and organ meats such as liver and kidney. When it comes to fighting cancer, every little bit helps, so you should be aware that there are several other natural supplements that help control diseases of the prostate, including milk thistle and curcumin (a spice that's also known as turmeric). Saw palmetto has also been recognized by the AMA and researchers at Harvard as showing great promise in the fight against prostate cancer. All of these are relatively inexpensive supplements available at most health food stores. If you're a male 40 or older, I hope you'll make prostate awareness and cancer prevention a part of your everyday routine. It's easy to do, pretty inexpensive and, for a lot of us, the only way we'll end up on a list with the greats like Arnie Palmer (the list of survivors, that is). Comments From Garry Shirvington The numbers of fatalities from prostate cancer are truly scary when put in those terms and the fact that the numbers are increasing is even more frightening. The per capita rates of incidence and death from prostate cancer in Australia are very similar to those in the USA. I have not previously seen anything specifically on the Rochester study, but I have read some of the information in the article in other reports and articles in my personal research into prostate cancer. Whilst I am not qualified to pass comment of the research at Rochester, I guess my simplistic approach is that any healthy regimen supported by the appropriate supplements can only enhance an individual's chance of keeping this dreadful disease at bay. I am absolutely convinced from my own personal experience and research that genetics is the key to the incidence of, and potentially the cure for, prostate cancer. In my opinion, if you have the genetic propensity for this disease then factors such as diet, lifestyle, stress and environmental factors will combine to significantly increase the like hood of the diseases developing. However, if you do not have that genetic propensity, then these factors do not seem to have any significant impact - pretty much the same logic that applies to instances where some people who inhale only passive smoke will contract lung cancer, while others who are long-term heavy smokers will never contract lung disease and live to a ripe old age. It is interesting and inspiring to note that Rotary has been instrumental in the funding of a Post Doctoral Fellowship worth $ 300000 (yes three hundred thousand dollars) over 3 years awarded in January 2002 to Dr Susan Henshall to enable her to continue research into the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in Australia. Dr Henshall will work out of the Garvan Institute in Sydney utilising the resources of the clinical database and tissue bank of St Vincents Hospital Campus where I had my treatment and where my "bits" were added to the tissue bank. In my experience, all men over the age of 40 should have a simple blood test for PSA levels annually. If my GP had not ordered the test, and I had no symptoms at the time, then the bottom line is that I would now be reliant on chemical treatment and I would have about a year to live. I can do my male Rotarian friends no greater favour than to encourage them to take the small amount of time required to have the blood test - for their own peace of mind and that of their loved ones. Yours in Rotary Garry Shirvington The Australian June 20th 2002 Warring factions of the Surfers Paradise Rotary Club have "kissed and made up" its grumpy old men declaring after a meeting on the Gold Coast last nigh that the crisis over the first female member had been resolved. After what was described as a "robust discussion" between feuding parties at the ANA Hotel, incoming president Frits Weber and "old guard" representative Geoff Taylor said they hoped to restore harmony to the club. "Excellent progress has been made on this internal club matter, and we are very confident that most issues are now solved," Mr Weber said. The bickering began earlier this month when 67-year-old grandmother Leslie O'Connor became the first woman to be inducted as a member of the club. It was a move that made the grumpy old men cry foul, criticising the way she was appointed and saying the presence of females would destroy the rotary spirit. Five members quit in protest, and other threatened to follow, but their differences were settled last nigh. Last night's two-hour meeting was also attended by former Queensland premier Rob Borbidge, an honorary member, but he slipped away early to avoid the media. Early yesterday, Mr Taylor told The Australian he was considering leaving the club to start another breakaway movement but, after the meeting, he had decided to stay, despite his belief that the club had been going along just fine without women. "That's my personal view… but international rules of Rotary have changed and we can't refuse women or anyone on the basis of gender," Mr Taylor said. Mr Weber, who had suggested earlier that anyone who opposed the inclusion of women could leave, said he hoped the club's 67 members would be happy with the outcome. "Tonight was a matter of kiss and make up with the incoming board," he said. He now believes Gold Coast businesswoman Shirley Cross has a good chance of becoming the club's second female member. Editorial The Australian June 20th 2002 Time for Rotary grumps to grow up PITY Leslie O'Connor Being the first female member of the Surfers Paradise Rotary Club can't be the most self-esteem-raising of experiences, even for a brave and altruistic 67-year-old woman who sits on a company board, runs a soup kitchen for the homeless and has seven grandchildren. Her "Welcome", if it could be described as such, has been positively ungentlemanly, even hostile. The male pillars of Gold Coast society revolted. Five "grumpy old men" quit the 50-year-old service club earlier this month when Mrs O'Connor survived a tough vote on her membership, and others have threatened to follow. Even former Queensland Rob Borbidge, a member, raised objections. Why should a member of dual-gender Rotary Club ruin the fraternal calm of their men-only club, some whined. Wived were co-opted to scare off Mrs O'Connor, gossiping that all she wanted was "to find a rich husband". Good sense has prevailed, and incoming club president Frits Webber says he will stand by his new female member, and her successor. Yet some male members say they will form a new club in protest. And damage has been done to Rotary's reputation, with the public display of attitudes that are out of sync with community standards, and defy common sense. As a community service organization, it seems bizarre that Rotary, at the grassroots level, should retain an antediluvian approach towards women's membership. After all, the role of women in the community is now so entrenched and accepted that this continuing discrimination is counter productive. Women's membership would enhance the organization and bring a breath of life to a body frequently still in the hands of an increasingly aged membership. With many complaints that young people avoid joining such organizations, it seams not to have entered the heads of leading members that continuing to hold women at arm's length could be a compelling reason. Rotary, which describes itself as "a global network of community volunteers", was founded in Chicago in 1905 as a service club that aimed to replicate the small-town feeling of community and service. It evolved into a well-endowed international organization that doled out scholarships and sponsored humanitarian projects, but also provided a useful network for men wishing to make business and community contacts. Rotary admitted women for the first time in 1989, so change was slow to come. Of course, there is no reason why single-gender organizations and clubs should not exist, although it is a matter of choice. But when an organization devotes itself to creative community activity, for which Rotary is properly noted, it's role is diminished by failing to include women. Lets not forget their sandwich-making and tea-provision skills are called in for some Rotary efforts, and their diverse capabilities, now proved in so many fields, are unwisely ignored. Computer store manager Terry Lawrence, who nominated Mrs O'Connor for Surfers Paradise membership, was on the money when he said the conflagration was "a disgrace to the Rotary name". If only his Rotarian brothers were as perceptive. Humour MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
The CIA, the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department have to prove that they are the best at apprehending criminals. So the President of the USA decides to give them a test. He releases a white rabbit into a forest and each of them has to catch it: The CIA goes in: They place animals informants throughout the forest. They question all the plant and mineral witnesses. After three months of extensive investigation they conclude that rabbits don't exist. The FBI goes in: After two weeks with no leads, they burn the forest, killing everything in it, including the rabbit. They make no apology - the rabbit had it coming. The LAPD goes in: They come out after just two hours with a badly beaten up bear. The bear is yelling, "Okay!, Okay! I'm a rabbit. I'm a rabbit! The Australian Prime Minister liked the idea so much that he decides to try it out on Australians law enforcement agencies. THE VICTORIAN POLICE go in: They return 15 minutes later with a koala, a kangaroo and a tree fern - al shot to ribbons, and claiming: "They looked like dangerous rabbits; we had to act in self defence." NSW POLICE go in: Surveillance tapes later reveal top-ranking officers and rabbits dancing naked around a gum tree, stoned out of their minds. "f**kin Sh**head!" and "Stupid F**ker," were the only intelligible phrases picked up by the microphone. THE QUEENSALND POLICE go in: Shortly afterwards they come out driving a new Mercedes Benz, scantily clad models draped all over them. The Queensland Premier congratulates them on maintaining traditional family values. THE N.T., S.A. AND W.A. POLICE join forces and go in: They belt the living crap out of every rabbit in the forest except the white one. They claim it's the black ones who cause the trouble anyway. THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE refuse to go in: They wont go because the risk is too high, the risk to too high. They say the matter should be returned to the referring department for investigation. ASIO: They didn't even get there - they went to the wrong forest! Queensland Cancer Fund News June 02 New Cancer Support Service for Far North Queensland March 6, 2002, marked the beginning of an exiting new cancer support service for Far North Queensland. A hospital based Cancer Support Visitor Programme was launched in the Day Oncology Unit at Calvary Private Hospital in Cairns. About 15 Cancer Support Visitors are rostered to attend the unit to provide companionship, information and support while cancer patients undergo chemotherapy. Mal Fraser, Cancer Support coordinator for Queensland Cancer Fund in Far North Queensland, said "This is a wonderful new service, which has greatly enhanced supportive care at a time when cancer patients really benefit. It has added a new dimension to the important work of the Cancer Support Visitors. " It has been a delight to work with Barb Kelly, Clinical Nurse Manager, and her team to bring this program to fruition. Similar programs operate in ten other hospitals in Queensland. Negotiations are underway at Innisfail and Atherton hospitals to further meet the needs of Far North Queensland cancer patients. Chairman's Report Research and Treatment The generous support of the Queensland community also enabled the Queensland Cancer Fund to commit a record $2.75million for cancer research projects to be undertaken in 2002. While this work will be undertaken in Queensland, it is recognised that there are benefits in being part of a broader approach to research at times. Consequently we are also involving our local researchers in collaborative projects across the nation. For example, we have made a grant for a Queensland driven project to start next year where researchers at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research will work with clinicians from both the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane and the Peter McCallum Institute in Melbourne in a bid to boost the immune system of patients with Hodgkin's disease. We were fortunate in obtaining the services of Professor Ian Frazer as the new Chair of our Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee. Prof Frazer is Director, Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research, The University of Queensland. He has published extensively in leading medial and scientific journals and is in constant demand as a Plenary speaker at international medial conferences. I also record the Queensland Cancer Funds appreciation of the role payed by Professor Kay Ellem who delayed his planned retirement after years of active service on the medical and Scientific Advisory Committee to act as Committee Chair until the services of Professor Frazer could be secured. |
