Alcohol Intake & Lethal PCa.

[pjoshea13]

New study below [1].

When I was diagnosed, I cut out beer & Scotch, but continued drinking red wine. In the study, moderate red wine drinking cut progression to lethal prostate cancer in half. I would say that my consumption was immoderate, though. In recent years, I drink the occassional IPA & have Scotch after dinner. I probably should return to 100% red wine, but can't afford the stuff I'd like to drink. LOL

"This prospective cohort study uses the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986 to 2012). Our analysis of alcohol intake among men at risk of prostate cancer included 47,568 cancer-free men. Our analysis of alcohol intake among men with prostate cancer was restricted to 5,182 men diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer during follow-up. We examine the association of total alcohol, red and white wine, beer, and liquor with lethal prostate cancer and death."

"Alcohol drinkers had a lower risk of lethal prostate cancer (any v none: HR, 0.84 ...) without a dose-response relationship.

"Total alcohol intake among patients with prostate cancer was not associated with progression to lethal prostate cancer (any v none: HR, 0.99 ...), whereas moderate red wine intake was associated with a lower risk (any v none: HR, 0.50 ...).

"Compared with none, 15 to 30 g/d of total alcohol after prostate cancer diagnosis was associated with a lower risk of death (HR, 0.71 ...), as was red wine (any v none: HR, 0.74 ...)."

Cancer-free men who consumed alcohol had a slightly lower risk of lethal prostate cancer compared with abstainers. Among men with prostate cancer, red wine was associated with a lower risk of progression to lethal disease. These observed associations merit additional study but provide assurance that moderate alcohol consumption is safe for patients with prostate cancer.

-Patrick

[1] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/310...

J Clin Oncol. 2019 Apr 26:JCO1802462. doi: 10.1200/JCO.18.02462. [Epub ahead of print]

Alcohol Intake and Risk of Lethal Prostate Cancer in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.

Downer MK1,2, Kenfield SA2,3, Stampfer MJ1,2, Wilson KM1,2, Dickerman BA1, Giovannucci EL1,2, Rimm EB1,2, Wang M1, Mucci LA1,2, Willett WC1,2, Chan JM3, Van Blarigan EL3.

Author information

Abstract

PURPOSE:

It is unknown whether alcohol intake is associated with the risk of lethal (metastatic or fatal) prostate cancer. We examine (1) whether alcohol intake among men at risk of prostate cancer is associated with diagnosis of lethal prostate cancer and (2) whether intake among men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer is associated with metastasis or death.

METHODS:

This prospective cohort study uses the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986 to 2012). Our analysis of alcohol intake among men at risk of prostate cancer included 47,568 cancer-free men. Our analysis of alcohol intake among men with prostate cancer was restricted to 5,182 men diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer during follow-up. We examine the association of total alcohol, red and white wine, beer, and liquor with lethal prostate cancer and death. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs.

RESULTS:

Alcohol drinkers had a lower risk of lethal prostate cancer (any v none: HR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.71 to 0.99]) without a dose-response relationship. Total alcohol intake among patients with prostate cancer was not associated with progression to lethal prostate cancer (any v none: HR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.57 to 1.72]), whereas moderate red wine intake was associated with a lower risk (any v none: HR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.29 to 0.86]; P trend = .05). Compared with none, 15 to 30 g/d of total alcohol after prostate cancer diagnosis was associated with a lower risk of death (HR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.50 to 1.00]), as was red wine (any v none: HR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.57 to 0.97]; P trend = .007).

CONCLUSION:

Cancer-free men who consumed alcohol had a slightly lower risk of lethal prostate cancer compared with abstainers. Among men with prostate cancer, red wine was associated with a lower risk of progression to lethal disease. These observed associations merit additional study but provide assurance that moderate alcohol consumption is safe for patients with prostate cancer.

PMID: 31026211 DOI: 10.1200/JCO.18.02462

[cujoe]

I've got a 2Xcancer treated aquaintance who downs at least a bottle of wine a day and is maybe 8 years out from RT & chemo and "doing fine"?? Maybe the wine is keeping the cancer at bay?? I'm headed to Total Wine for a case! Alcohol and cancer seems to be like salt and HBP - one year it's bad, next year, not so much. Thanks for posting. Be Well - cujoe

[pjoshea13 in reply to cujoe]

The thing about alcohol is that people assume it is bad. There is bias against it - just as there once was with coffee (no nutritive value, a stimulant, etc.) The new study followed 47,568 cancer-free men, with 5,182 men diagnosed during the long follow-up. Some might prefer to wait for a legitimate study, but I find the results to be compelling.

Here is one way that alcohol may help - it has a negative effect on B12 levels. Normally, that would be bad, but with PCa it might be protective.

-Patrick

[cujoe in reply to pjoshea13]

As always, Patrick, your rationale is based on a solid understanding of the biochemical interactions involved. Are you also providing wine club gift cards, as I now do need to restock my wine bilge. I also have a PCa relative who is a BIG wine conneseur, and am sending him a link to the research. He will surely be pleased to read it.

For years, the standard line on wine has been reds are good - and some like to attribute that to the resveratrol (minuscule content for sure). I currently supplement with both resveratrol and pterostilbene. Washing them down with red wine might provide a better synergy? and be much tastier than H2O. Salute - cujoe

“To wine. It improves with age. The older I get, the more I like it.”

[pjoshea13 in reply to cujoe]

Resveratrol levels in grapes depend on the degree of environmental insult, such as a fungal attack, but spraying forestalls that. The rose bushes one might see in a vineyard (the canary in the mine) are there for the tourists. Perhaps organic red wine has more resveratrol?

-Patrick

[tango65]

Good news!! "In vino sanitas"

- Pliny the Elder, 79AD

[pjoshea13 in reply to tango65]

Some say "In vino veritas, in aqua sanitas", but I prefer your quote.

-Patrick

[6357axbz]

My “bad” habit is one bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, over the course of 3 hours, daily. Sometimes a bit more🙃

Thanks Patrick!

[pjoshea13 in reply to 6357axbz]

I can relate to that. -Patrick

[cigafred]

Good news as cocktain (wine) hour approaches. Thanks.

[Sherpa111]

Loved my Gin Martini. Now I love my red wine, and I agree @pjoshea13, I can’t afford the “good stuff”.

[Magnus1964]

I too am a red wine person. But I also like beer, German beer not that slop the mega breweries produce. I always have one beer with my pizza on a Saturday night. Now if you will excuse me I have a pizza to prepare.

[Hidden in reply to Magnus1964]

🤙🏼

[GP24]

Old study below[1]:

"Interestingly, regarding the type of wine, moderate consumption of white wine increased the risk of PCa, whereas moderate consumption of red wine had a protective effect."

[1] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Hidden]

Now I will have a glass of cab . Thanks .

[jdm3]

You just made my day. Thanks. Going to have some wine with my broccoli sprouts now.

I used to drink the craft beers (mainly lagers and "light" IPAs), but now I don't drink much at all except for an occasional red wine. Ironically, my daughter started a craft brewery and makes delicious beers, but alas I only sample on rare occasions. On the other hand, I have friends I never knew I had who always want me to bring beer back for them when I go visit her.

[Adam10]

Is being teetotal (zero alcohol intake) the safest for PCa sufferers Patrick?

Is moderate red wine intake generally good for PCa sufferers? Or is alcohol of any kind poison to the prostate?

I have minimal white wine intake thinking this was best but the study shows red wine instead. I’m happy with that.

I like beer but I have hypothyroidism so I avoid beer to be gluten-free.

Thanks for your posts. Grateful for your thoughts.

[pjoshea13 in reply to Adam10]

Adam,

I have always thought that some red wine is better than none.

As for other drinks? The anti-stress benefit shouldn't be ignored.

But here is what I wrote in 2016:

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

-Patrick

[Ralph1966]

How many glasses are considered moderate? 2 glasses of red wine daily?

[Magnus1964 in reply to Ralph1966]

I don't even have a glass pre day. Maybe three times a week. Depends on what we're having, i.e. pasta calls for wine.

[pjoshea13 in reply to Ralph1966]

"Moderate" is such a judgemental word. I associate it with grudging permission.

There are no studies to back this up, but I stop well-short of inebriation & consider that I am drinking in moderation. That is after more than two glasses. My liver seems to keep up with my sips. Others might set the limit at one glass.

-Patrick

[sedgley in reply to pjoshea13]

Now that depends whether it's a nice Margaux or something else....

[JimVanHorn]

I quit alcohol in 1984 and have no need for it today.

[Hidden]

In 2004, my research medical oncologist told me, no alcohol, no anti-oxidants, no milk products, and no supplements. I listened to him and followed his instructions to the letter. After six months of chemotherapy, he allowed one bowl of Blue Bell ice cream once a week...... to this date, I refrain from all; except one bowl of Blue Bell once a week.

Your mileage probably varies, but mine is still consistent.

GD

[dockam]

The first thing my wife asked at the conf call with MO was : "does he have to cut out beer?" and she said "No, it was fine". Inside I was jumping for joy, outer self just wryly smiled.

[Captain_Dave]

I'm wondering if drinking grape juice would have similar effects?

[Adam10 in reply to Captain_Dave]

Yes - based on articles online which say grape pips are even better. Can’t refer you to any studies though.

I buy grace juice, organic or other apparent healthy grace juice.

Not sure how one can gauge the benefit.

I guess both ref wine - I like the relaxant aspect that Patrick refers to and going 100% teetotal is tough - and organic grape juice might give both benefits.

However, this still leaves the question is the “poisonous” effect of alcohol something we should consider.

[Adam10]

Sorry, my error: the study that Patrick posted says as follows -

“Alcohol drinkers had a lower risk of lethal prostate cancer (any v none: HR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.71 to 0.99]) without a dose-response relationship.”

So alcohol drinkers have lower PCa risk than (teetotal) persons who drink no alcohol. That is great news as others have said.

I find it difficult to interpret the phraseology of the medical profession or medical researchers.

I would appreciate explanation of the meaning “without a dose-response relationship”

[pjoshea13 in reply to Adam10]

Adam,

"a dose-response relationship" can be as simple as one where the response increases as the dose increases.

The lack of a dose-response relationship means that while some alcohol is better than none, amounts consumed don't correlate well with responses.

I don't think that any of us expect a linear relationship. It's too much to expect the 8th drink of the day to be as useful as the 1st.

But it would be nice to read that there is incremental benefit up to the 3rd drink, say.

My take, is that if/when they looked at drink-equivalents, they saw a somewhat jagged pattern.

When I answer off the top of my head, & about to hit "reply", I remember that Wikipedia usually has the best definition, so:

"Dose–response curves are generally sigmoidal and monophasic and can be fit to a classical Hill equation. "

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dose–...

-Patrick

[Adam10 in reply to pjoshea13]

Thanks Patrick. I prefer your explanation but will consult Wikipedia too in future. I will switch to red wine in moderate amounts away from white wine immediately.