Cranberry Extract Improves Bladder Health in Prostate Cancer Patients

by | Apr 21, 2016 | 2015, Bladder Health, Cancer, Prostate Cancer

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. In research with 40 male prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation, 25% had a reduction in cystitis – a common side effect.  

Prostate cancer is the second most deadly cancer in men (after lung cancer). It caused the death of nearly 31,000 men in 2002 (1), with 234, 460 new cases and over 27,000 deaths in 2006. The 5-year survival rate is 100% if found early but plummets to 34% if found after it has spread (2). A common side effect for those undergoing radiation treatment is a type of bladder infection called cystitis. This can occur within 2-3 weeks of starting radiation treatment (3, 4) and puts patients at an increased risk of further bladder infections (5).

Now a new study (6) suggests that cranberry extract may benefit bladder health in those receiving radiation treatment for prostate cancer. The study involved 40 men between the ages of 51 and 82 diagnosed with prostate cancer. They were given either 1 capsule of cranberry extract containing 72 milligrams of antioxidants called proanthocyanidins (20 patients) or placebo (20 patients) after breakfast for the course of their radiation treatment and an additional 2 weeks after treatment completed. Each patient completed a questionnaire called the Modified Expanded Prostate Index Composite that included information on bladder health and the presence of cystitis.

The researchers chose to have the supplement given at breakfast. This was due to previous research showing that a single dose of cranberry juice produced maximum antioxidant levels in the urine 3 to 6 hours after consumption (7, 8), “indicating that breakfast would be the best time to take the capsules.”

By the end of the supplement period, 65% of those in the cranberry group suffered from cystitis compared to 90% in the placebo group (p = 0.058). In addition, the presence of pain and burning with urination was “significantly lower” in the cranberry group versus the control group (p = 0.045, data not provided) in addition to those in the cranberry group using “significantly fewer” bladder pads (p = 0.042, data not provided) and having a stronger urine stream (p = 0.038, data not provided) compared to the placebo group.

For the researchers “men receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer may benefit from using cranberry capsules.”

Source: Hamilton, K., Bennett, N.C., Purdie, G. et al. Standardized cranberry capsules for radiation cystitis in prostate cancer patients in New Zealand: a randomized double blinded, placebo controlled pilot study Support Care Cancer (2015) 23: 95. doi:10.1007/s00520-014-2335-8

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014

Posted January 8, 2015.

Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppauge, NY.  You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com

References:

  1. National Vital Statistics Report Volume 53, Number 5, released October 12, 2004
  2. “What Are The Key Statistics For Prostate Cancer?” posted on the American Cancer Society Website
  3. McCammon R, Rusthoven KE, Kavanagh B, Newell S, Newman F, Raben D (2009) Toxicity assessment of pelvic intensity-modulated radiotherapy with hypofractionated simultaneous integrated boost to prostate for intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 75:413–420
  4. Cowan CC, Hutchison C, Cole T, Barry SJE, Paul J, Reed NS, Russell JM (2012) A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of cranberry juice on decreasing the incidence of urinary symptoms and urinary tract infections in patients undergoing radiotherapy for cancer of the bladder or cervix. Clin Oncol 24:e31–e38
  5. Antonakopoulos GN, Hicks RM, Berry RJ (1984) The subcellular basis of damage to the human urinary bladder induced by irradiation. J Pathol 143:103–116
  6. Hamilton K. Standardized cranberry capsules for radiation cystitis in prostate cancer patients in New Zealand: a randomized double blinded, placebo controlled pilot study. Support Care Cancer 2015 Jan;23(1):95-102. doi: 10.1007/s00520-014-2335-8. Epub 2014 Jul 4
  7. Milbury PE, Vita JA, Blumberg JB (2010) Anthocyanins are bioavailable in humans following an acute dose of cranberry juice. J Nutr 140:1099–10104
  8. Ohnishi R, Ito H, Kasajima N, Kaneda R, Karyama R, Kumon H, Hatano T, Yoshida T (2006) Urinary excretion of anthocyanins in humans after cranberry juice ingestion. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 70:1681–1687