I have communicated with the original author twice over the years, but there does not seem to be any further interest in the medical research field yet.

I am going for a follow-up PSA 3 months after my first doubling of PSA from 1.18 to 3.00 and my first asymmetric DRE result. At age 56, I am willing to give anything that I can control a chance. And, this very healthy way of eating has made me feel better overall; more energy, etc.

Any response would be appreciated. Keep smilin’.

This is far from being the first “anecdote” (see Terry Herbert’s prior comment above). There have been many of those on and off over the years. What this is is the first scientific documentation of an apparent clinical effect in man (which is somewhat more than an anecdote). You asked me if there was other evidence. Answer … a resounding “No,” to date.

But I can’t begin to see: “It certainly does appear that capsaicin does something that may impact the rate of growth of prostate cancer cells in at least some men ….”.

“Some men” extrapolated from an anecdote about one guy?

Please don’t over-interpret something that I phrased with the greatest care. Perhaps I should state it again with additional emphasis:

“It certainly does appear that capsaicin does something that may impact the rate of growth of prostate cancer cells in at least some men ….”

My premise is only that (2) + (3) may equal (1), not that they do! To reach the conclusion that capsaicin or some drug derived therefrom has any real long-term value in the treatment of progressive prostate cancer would require a great deal more data. On the other hand, for those who like their habañeros chili sauce, it can’t hurt to know that there seems to be some potential for benefit.

You mention: (1) “It certainly does appear that capsaicin does something that may impact the rate of growth of prostate cancer cells in at least some men ….”

Is this conclusion based on (2) a study on mice and (3) a solitary case of a 66-year-old man who decides to try chili sauce to cure himself, or is there some further “evidence”? Putting it another way, I don’t see how (1) = (2) + (3).

In 1997/8 there was a good deal of discussion on this subject, with reference to some European studies, between some very knowledgeable/scientifically based members of Don Cooley’s long-gone Forum.

Between them they evolved a recipe for an ideal dose. Regrettably it proved not to be a universal panacea, as the principal author finally succumbed to his aggressive disease. On the other hand, one of the men who certainly started taking it regularly (can’t say if he still does) is alive and well.

We had a guy at a website swearing that his prostate cancer was cured by eating pepper supplements while posting the study at UCLA/Cedars Sinai showing mice having a slowed progression. I understand that capsaicin induce apoptosis in prostate cancer. But it isn’t a cure. And the question remains, does a reduction in PSA progression mean anything at all as it pertains to survival of prostate cancer?

I did read somewhere that capsaicin also inhibited the performance of chemotherapy, but I can’t find that article. Perhaps you can.

In the mean time, I will continue to consume peppers, not to slow my prostate cancer, but because I like them ….