Hormonal Dietary Supplements Might Promote Prostate Cancer Progression

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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080115085351.htm

ScienceDaily (Jan. 16, 2008) — Hormonal

components in over-the-counter dietary supplements may promote the progression

of prostate cancer and decrease the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs,

researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered.

The

findings, which appear in today's issue of Clinical Cancer Research, reaffirm

that patients should inform their doctors about any herbal or hormonal dietary supplements

they are taking or considering taking. The researchers also recommend that

documentation of supplement usage become part of routine health assessments for

all patients, particularly cancer patients.

" Physicians

need to ask their patients not only about the prescription drugs they may be

taking, but -- perhaps even more importantly -- about the over-the-counter

drugs and supplements, which may have a profound impact on certain health

conditions, " said Dr. Claus Roehrborn, chairman of urology at UT

Southwestern and one of the study's authors.

The

researchers began their investigation when two patients being seen by UT

Southwestern doctors developed aggressive prostate cancer within months of

starting daily consumption of the same dietary supplement. Both men purchased

the same product, one to develop stronger muscles and enhance sexual

performance, the other to gain muscle.