Vitamin D Shows Promise to Slow Prostate Tumor Growth and May Help Younger Men Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer.
New York, New York (PRWEB) April 10, 2015 -- Vitamin D may play a major role in slowing the growth of prostate cancer tumors, according to new research. Chairman of Urology and Chief of Robotic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, Dr. David Samadi, believes this may help younger men who are being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.
"These fast-growing tumors in young men can be missed due to current U.S. Preventive Task Force screening guidelines discouraging men below the age of 55 from getting a baseline PSA blood test. On top of that, prostate cancer often has no symptoms. This could relate to why we continue to see many young men with aggressive cancers," explained Dr. Samadi.
Recent studies released in October 2014 and March 2015 from the University of Colorado Cancer Center and the Medical University of South Carolina have explored the link between vitamin D and prostate cancer.
Researchers at Colorado analyzed vitamin D's effect on prostate tumors and found the nutrient blocked a protein responsible for tumor growth.
More specifically, scientists at South Carolina evaluated men undergoing prostate surgery. They were given vitamin D supplements during the 60-day waiting period between biopsy and prostatectomy to see its effect on their cancer staging. They found that vitamin D improved the state of the prostate tumors discovered once they underwent surgery compared to men who didn't take the supplement.
"This may be positive news for younger men who are diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer because of risk factors like family history. We need to educate them to understand their risk and talk to their physicians about their vitamin D levels. Anything we can do, early on in the process of cancer diagnosis or even before is always a good thing. The key is getting men to understand their risk factors before cancer becomes a reality," stressed Dr. Samadi.
In the last 20 years, we've seen a six-fold increase in younger men with aggressive prostate cancer. In 2014, a significant study from the University of Michigan showed the correlation between younger men developing aggressive prostate cancer and a family history of the disease. Researchers found that when prostate cancer strikes at a younger age, it's likely because the tumor is growing quickly.
"I cannot stress enough the importance of being your own advocate. Until we get improved diagnostic testing, younger men need to be encouraged to understand their risk factors when it comes to prostate cancer. Knowledge is power," said Dr. Samadi.
Previous studies have also shown a correlation between vitamin D and inflammation reduction.
"Vitamin D is accessible and affordable. More studies need to be done but any potential to reduce the severity of prostate cancer is great news. Taking vitamin D early on especially if you're at risk for prostate cancer could help slow the process and we already know inflammation plays a major role in the development of prostate cancer. Anything we can do to reduce it is a great step forward," noted Dr. Samadi.
ABOUT DR. DAVID B. SAMADI Dr. Samadi is a board certified urologic oncologist trained in open and traditional and laparoscopic surgery and is an expert in robotic prostate surgery. He is Chairman of Urology, Chief of Robotic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and Professor of Urology at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. He is also part of the Fox News Medical A Team as a medical correspondent and the Chief Medical Correspondent for am970 in New York City. He has dedicated his distinguished career to the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer and is considered one of the most prominent surgeons in his field. Learn more at roboticoncology.com. Follow Dr. David Samadi on Facebook and Twitter. Visit Dr. Samadi’s blog at SamadiMD.com.
Lauren Guerrieri, Dr. David Samadi, http://www.roboticoncology.com, +1 2123655000, [email protected]
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