The evidence that a pill containing pomegranate, green tea, turmeric and broccoli has been scientifically proven to fight prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men in the UK, was first announced to the World at the ASCO conference Chicago.

The oral presentation by Professor Robert Thomas, a consultant oncologist at Bedford and Addenbrooke’s Cambridge University Hospitals received oncologist and World wide recognition  from academic institutions and patient advocacy groups.

It was seen as a major breakthrough for nutritional research which for years has either been barking up the wrong tree or failing to design robust enough trials to ensure statistically valid evidence of benefit.

The study, a double blind randomised controlled trial involved 203 men with prostate cancer and showed that PSA levels of those who took a capsule called Pomi-T containing purified whole pomegranate, green tea, turmeric and broccoli were 63% less likely to progress than men who took the placebo.

Now this further analysis has now revealed a fascinating extra benefit which could save millions for the NHS and spare numerous men the toxicity unnecessary aggressive treatments:

Results: 5.9% of men in the supplement group as opposed to 23.4% in the placebo group opted to leave AS or WW for more aggressive management pathways. This difference of 17.5% was highly statistically significant (Chi2 p=0.014).

Some men opting for other treatments had radiotherapy or surgery but most had medical castration which can cause a number adverse events including: Depression, Hot flushes, Weight gain, Osteoporosis and Erectile dysfunction.

The costs of intervention include radiotherapy and surgery, the management of troublesome symptoms and the price of the drugs to induce castration cost up to £1000 a year and men can stay on them for many years as opposed to £170 a year for Pomi-T.
Professor Thomas said:

" These results suggest a massive saving for the NHS but we are now working with Cranfield University to set up a formal cost effectiveness study”

"This was a really rewarding trial to be involved in – there is too much emphasis in research involving expensive drugs we can’t afford and not enough on practice nutritional and lifestyle solutions”

Source: NCRI