Catechins in Decaffeinated Green Tea Reduces Major Risk of Prostate Cancer in Men

Men at high risk of prostate cancer can reduce their chances of having the disease by drinking green tea.

The researchers, led by Nagi Kumar, an Indian-origin scientist from Moffitt Cancer Center, US, assessed the safety and effectiveness of the active components in green tea to prevent prostate cancer development in men who have pre-malignant lesions.

Prostate Cancer: Treatment Options - Surgery, Radiation Therapy, Hormone Therapy
Treatment options of prostate cancer includes waiting, surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, cryosurgery or biologic therapy.

The researchers administered decaffeinated green tea capsules called Polyphenon E twice a day that contained a mixture of green tea substance called ‘catechins’. The effects of Polyphenon E in 49 men were compared to placebo tablets in 48 men over a one-year treatment period.

Laboratory studies have shown that catechins inhibit cancer cell growth, motility and invasion, and stimulate cancer cell death.

The researchers found that people who had taken the green tea capsule had a significant decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.

Prostate Specific Antigen [PSA] & Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
PSA blood test is specific to prostate gland but not necessarily a cancer specific test but is commonly used to diagnose prostate cancer.

PSA is a biomarker that in combination with other risk factors is used to screen patients for prostate cancer, and high levels signify a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Green tea catechins also prevent and reduce tumor growth in animal models, the study noted.

Chinese Green Tea - Health Benefits - Harmful Effects - FAQs
Green tea is the least processed variant of tea. Tea is a beverage made from the processed leaves of Camellia sinensis (Family- Theaceae).

Twenty percent of green tea is consumed in Asian countries where prostate cancer death rates are among the lowest in the world, the researchers said.

Green Tea May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk in Post-Menopausal Women
Drinking green tea may reduce the risk of breast cancer in post menopausal women, according to a new study from National Cancer Institute.

Source-Medindia