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Health Risks and Environmental Issues 156 Sparkling Ridge Road, New Paltz, New York 12561 USA Environmental Clues to Prostate Cancer In 1995 approximately 244,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and an estimated 40,400 died of this disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Following on the heels of lung cancer, prostate cancer is now the second leading killer of men. More men are diagnosed with prostate cancer than women with breast cancer, but the number of deaths from each is about the same. There is a great deal more they share in common too.' Cancer Geography Marked geographical differences have been found in relation to prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates. The areas of highest incidence are for men living in North America and Northern European countries. African American males have the highest incidence of prostate cancer of all, and also the highest death rate for this disease. Incidence of prostate cancer in the Asian countries is quite low by comparison. However, the risk increases in immigrants moving from low risk areas to high risk areas, suggesting that the risk has more to do withenvironmental factors than racial or genetic factors .2 The same holds true for breast cancer risk pattems. What Happens?. Around age 40 a man's prostate begins to be affected by his ability to metabolize the male hormone testosterone. It is hypothesized that as the enzyme regulating gene becomes disabled, the body starts producing more of the enzyme 5 alphreductase, which converts healthy testosterone into the unhealthy dihydrotestosterone (DHT), leading to the development of prostate cancer.' Dietary Fats Excess weight and the typical Western diet, rich in animal fit have been associated with a high risk of prostate cancer in several studies, and are also implicated as risk factors for breast cancer. A study reported in the Journal of NCI found total consumption of fat was directly related to risk of advanced prostate cancer. The association was due primarily to animal fat, but not vegetable fat. Red meat was the main culprit, representing the food group with the strongest positive association with advanced prostate cancer.' . Hormone Havoc The body represents the most magnificent and complex chemical factory ever designed. All body functions, strong immune response, and general good health depend on a proper balance of hormones. Prostate and breast cancers are considered to be horrnone dependent. In the past 55 years synthetic chemicals have become pervasive in our society and all over the globe. We have a pretty good understanding ofjust how damaging they are to wildlife, and are beginning to recognize similar negative impact on human health. In 1945 diethylstilbestrol (DES) was introduced as a prescription drug for pregnant women to prevent miscarriage. DES mimics the action of natural estrogen, but like other synthetic estrogens can have a dark side. Prior to its administration to pregnant women it was known to cause reproductive damage to ranch mink who had been fed offal from chicken treated with DES. This was not enough of a warning to prevent it from being given to pregnant women. It was only after chfldren born to these women began to develop reproductive disorders and unusual cancers as they reached puberty and young adulthood that the drug was pulled off the market in 1971. It continued to be used to fatten up poultry and beef cattle well into the 80s, after which it was replaced by similar hormone mimicking chemicals. The long range effects of DES are a grim reminder of what can happen when humans are exposed to synthetic chemicals which interfere with the body's production and metabolism of its own natural hormones. These dangers are easily carried over to the next generation where the damage can be subtle and undetected but with devastating effects. Estrogen mimics don't just affect women. Men make estrogen too, though in smaller amounts compared to testosterone, and men are just as vulnerable to any substance that interferes with the body's natural balance of these two important horinones which can have a negative impact on prostate health. Hormones in Meat Outspoken critic of the cancer industry, Dr. Samuel Epstein had an article in the Los Angeles 7Ymes, 3/24/97 offering the following scenario of meat production: "When US and Canadian beef cattle go to feedlots, hormone pellets are implanted under the ear skin,* a process that is repeated at the midpoint of their 100 day fattening period. The hormones increase the weight of the cattle, adding to profits by about $80 p/animal. "The most common hormone in current use is estradiol, a potent cancer causing and gene damaging estrogen. The FDA maintains that residues of estradiol and other hormones in meat are within 'normal' levels, and has waived any requirements for monitoring and chemical testing." In response to a European Union ban of American beef, "The FDA!s claims of safety were endorsed by a 1987 report of two LJN bodies, the Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Health Organization .... The joint committee that prepared the report ... relied heavily on outdated scientific citations,...claiming the hormone residues in legaRy implanted cattle are so low that eating treated meat could not possibly induce any hormonal or carcinogenic effects." The truth revealed in "confidential reports to the FDA, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, showed high hormone residues in meat products, even under ideal test conditions. Following a single ear implant of Synovex S, a combination of estradiol and progesterone, estradiol levels in different meat products were up to 20 fold higher than norinal. "In real life the situation may be much worse. An unpublicized random USDA survey of 32 large feedlots found that as many as one half the cattle had visible illegal 'misplaced' implants in muscle, rather than under the ear skin. This would result in very high local concentrations of hormones, and also elevated levels in muscle meat at distant sites. Such abuse is very hard to detect. "Responding to European concerns, the USDA recently claimed that, based on standard residue monitoring programs, drug levels in violation of regulations have not been detected in meat products. However, of 130 million livestock commercially slaughtered in 1993, not one was tested for estradiol or any related horinone. "These hormones are linked evermore closely to the escalating incidence of reproductive cancers in the US since 1950 55% for breast cancer, 120% for testicular cancer and 190%(!) for prostate cancer. "The endocrine disruptive effects of estrogenic pesticides and other industrial food contaminants known as xenoestrogens are now under intensive investigation by the federal regulatory agencies. But the contamination of meat with residues of the far more potent estradiol remains ignored. "5 Govemment cannot be relied upon to. protect citizens. The Skinny on Fat Population stuclies indicate that high fat diets involving red meat consumption increase prostate cancer incidence and accelerate its growth. High blood levels of alpha linolenic acid, from animal fat, are markers for prostate cancer risk.' In addition to the hormones which are administered to cattle in feedlots, the animals take in additional estrogenic compounds from pesticide treated feed. Atrazine, an herbicide used in corn cultivation, has been found to cause enlargement of the prostate and can lower testosterone levels. It has also contributed to mammary tumors in laboratory rats. According to Dr. Sherry Rogers, an expert on environmental illness, "It should come as no surprise that the epidemic use of pesticides has contributed to the increase in prostate cancers over the last twenty years. "7 The estrogenic mimicking chemicals are petroleum derivatives and are lipid soluble, attaching to fat and bioaccumulating up the food chain, with humans receivmg the largest doses of all. Meat lovers should consider eating organic. Because hormone mimicking chemicals are not easily flushed out of the body as are natural estrogens, they can interfere with many of the body's natural functions from alertness to immune suppression. These chemicals are everywhere pesticides, fungicides and insecticides are used on our food, in our homes, yards, schools, and places of business. They are in detergents and personal care products. Even plastic has estrogenic properties which can transfer to fatty food (like meat and cheese) around which it is wrapped. Heating food in plastic containers in the microwave should be avoided for this reason. According to the Pesticide Education Center in San Francisco, numerous studies show an association between pesticide exposure and certain types of cancer such as prostate and testicular cancer in workers occupationally exposed to pesticides. Pesticides that are classified as organochlorides create havoc in both males and females by disrupting the endocrine system.' Chemicals do not just disappear after they are used, contrary to what manufacturers may say. The active ingredients often break down into metabolite products that can be even more dangerous than the original chemical and last indefinitely in the environment polluting our drinking water, as well as the air we breathe. Dr. Janette D. Sherinan of Alexandria, Virginia advocates for women with breast cancer to have a fat tissue biopsy to determine what chemical residues they may be harboring. This could be very useful for prostate cancer patients to determine what chemical residues they may be harboring as well, since dioxins, polyhalogenated biphenyls, dibenzofirans and otbers can increase the formation of dihydrotestosterone in the prostate. The risk factor for cancer may not be the animal fat itself, but all the chemical toxins stored in the fat, which then bioaccumulate in the fat of meat eating consumers. Occupational Hazards Exposure to heavy metals and other pollutants can also increase risk. Prostate cancer is particularly common among welders, battery manufacturers, rubber workers, and workers frequently exposed to cadmium, a toxic heavy metal.' Immune System Under Attack Our immune systems are under additional attack from over the counter and prescription drugs. Cortisone depresses the immune system by design. It doesn't matter if it is used topically, oraUy, or by injection. It stops pain, inflammation, swelling, itching, and a long fist of other symptoms by blocking the body's normal inimune response.10 Drug induced nutrient depletion is a serious problem in this country. Acid blockers, anti depressants, blood pressure medications, estrogen, tranquilizers, antibiotics, antiinflammatories, cholesterol lowering drugs, and oral antidiabetic medications can cause nutrient depletion by interfering with absorption and assimilation. Some drug induced deficiencies can increase risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and cancer." Soy to the Rescue For horinone dependent cancers such as prostate and breast cancers, dietary factors influencing horinono activity are of special interest. Intake of plant estrogens is much higher in. Asian countries where the incidence of breast and prostate cancers is quite low. It is beheved the weak plant estrogens found in soy foods have the ability to antagonize the action of the more potent endogenous estrogens in tumor promotion. In test tube studies, genistein an isoflavine in soy has been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate tumor cells. 12 Think Zinc The prostate has the highest amount of zinc of any organ. 13 It appears that zinc is essential for the metabolism of testosterone, which is the primary male hormone. It is believed that zinc may play a protective role in prostate health. Patients with chronic prostatitis generally suffer from low levels of zinc. Patients given zinc supplements report an easing of painful symptoms and a reduction in prostate size. Doctors who carried out the experiments emphasize that zinc cannot replace conventional treatment for most prostate disorders. 14 Zinc is one of the many nutrients easily depleted by prescription drugs, particularly Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac, some diuretics, corticosteroids, and others. 15 Oysters happen to be particularly good sources of zinc (which may be why folklore considers them aphrodisiacs). However, concerns about pollution may make this a less desirable source of zinc. Better to look for other zinc rich foods such as liver, lamb, dark turkey meat, wheat germ, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, whole grains, chick peas, and black eyed peas. * It was the privilege of this writer to hear Dr. Sainuel Epstein speak at a July conference on Breast Cancer in Otiawa. Dr. Epstein discussed the estrogen pellet under the ear skin of cattle and then added that the ears, along with other unusable parts were sent to rendering plants and then made into gelatin products. Am astute listener asked Dr. Epstein about gelatin capsules for vitamins, and their possible contamination with the xenoestrogens. Dr. Epstein concurred that this was indeed a problem. The solution seek out vitamins with veggie caps. References 1. Nature's Impact, Oct./Nov 1998. 2. American Inst. of Nutrition, June, 1995. 3. Stitt, Fred, Phl), Breast Cancer & Environmental Risk Factors (BCERF) publication. Comell Univ., Ithaca, NY. 4. Joumal of the NCI, Vol. 85 No. 19, Oct. 6,1993. 5.Epstein, Samuel, MD, Los Angeles Times, March 24,1997. 6. Stitt, Fred, PhD., Breast Cawer & Environmental Risk Factors (BCERF) pubheation Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. 7. Rogers, Sherry, MD, 7btal Health and Healing in 7bday's World, Oct., 1998. 8. Is 7here a Pesticide Bmast Cawer Link?, a publication from 1 in 9, Long Island, NY. 9. Nature's Impact, Oct./Nov. 1998. 10. Williams, David, G., MD, Alternatives, Sept., 1997. 11. Health Science Institute, Sept.,1999, Vol.4, No.3. 12. Mindell, Earl, Phl), Earl Mindell's Soy Miracle, Simon & Shuster, NY 1996. 13. Stitt, Fred, Phl), Brewt Cancer & Environmental Risk Factors (BCERF) pubiication Comell Univ., Ithaca, NY. 14. Brickhn, Mark, Natural Remedies, Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA 1981. 15. Health Science Institute, Sept., 1999, Vol. 4 No. 3.
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