Ray Peat on Prostate Cancer

Seasonal Fluctuations in Breast Cancer Diagnoses

“There is a clear seasonality in the diagnosis (occurrence) of breast cancer, with a peak in spring and a minimum in autumn (Cohen et al., 1983). The increased detection in spring coincides with rising gonadotropins (which are associated with breast and prostate cancer), and the lower detection in autumn coincides with higher vitamin D and lower stress hormones.”

May 2016 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Estrogen’s Controversial Role in Prostate Cancer Treatment

“Since it was known that estrogen treatment is dangerous for men and increases blood clotting as well as vascular spasms, there had to be an overarching belief that led to its widespread use in treating prostate cancer. This belief seems to be that estrogen, the female hormone, opposes testosterone, the male hormone, which is responsible for the growth – and thus the cancer development – of the prostate. Everything about this statement is wrong, but every part of this belief can be found in the medical literature – present and effective.”

May 1998 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Increase in Estrogen/Anti-Estrogen Ratio in Aging Men and Women

“In aging women and men, while the breast and prostate atrophy, their estrogen/anti-estrogen ratio increases.”

May 1998 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Diverse Functions of Pituitary Hormones in Prostate Growth

“Pituitary hormones have diverse functions, including effects on epithelial tissue beyond their classical roles. Growth hormone, ACTH (Lostroh and Li, 1957), as well as ACTH together with prolactin (Tullner, 1963) stimulate prostate growth. Prolactin – which is increased by estrogen – stimulates the growth of the lateral prostate in rats (Holland and Lee, 1980) and stimulates the growth of human prostate epithelial cells in vitro (Syms et al., 1985).”

May 1998 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Hormone Levels and Survival of Prostate Cancer Patients

“Prostate cancer patients with higher LH levels and lower testosterone died the fastest (Harper et al., 1984). Additionally, a high ratio of testosterone to estradiol or testosterone to prolactin corresponded to better survival (Rannikko et al., 1981). Viewed alone, patients with higher testosterone levels had a better prognosis than those with lower levels, and patients with lower growth hormone levels fared better than those with higher growth hormone levels (Wilson et al., 1985).”

May 1998 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Hormonal Influences on Cell Division in the Prostate

“In human prostate slices, several hormones (including insulin and probably prolactin) stimulated cell division; testosterone did not do so under these experimental conditions (McKeehan et al., 1984). Contrary to stereotypical views, there is evidence that additional androgens might control prostate cancer (Umekita et al., 1996) and that antagonists of prolactin and estrogen could be sensibly used in hormone therapy.”

May 1998 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Hormonal Changes in Men Over 50 and Prostate Enlargement

“At age 50, men often show an excess of both prolactin and estrogen as well as a deficiency of thyroid hormones and testosterone. At this age, prostate enlargement often becomes noticeable.”

May 1998 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Estrogen Effects Beyond Receptors in the Cancer Development Process

“Many of the most important effects of estrogen do not involve the receptors. A direct excitatory effect on prostate cells as well as indirect effects via the pituitary, pancreas, thyroid, adrenal glands, fatty acids, prostaglandins, histamine, and the circulatory system are likely essential components of the cancer development process.”

May 1998 – Ray Peat's Newsletter

Nutritional and Endocrine Support for Prostate Health

“Thyroid supplementation, sufficient animal protein, trace elements, and vitamin A are the first things to consider in preventing prostate hypertrophy and cancer. Nutritional and endocrine support can be combined with rational anticancer treatments, as there is actually no clear boundary between different approaches aimed at achieving an endocrine and immunological balance without harming anything.”

May 1998 – Ray Peat's Newsletter
Back to the blog

Supplements according to Ray Peat

1 4