"We hope that one day we can demonstrate that xanthohumol prevents prostate cancer development, first in animal models and then in humans, but we are just at the beginning," Clarissa Gerhauser, Ph.D., group leader of cancer chemoprevention in the Division of Epigenomics and Cancer Risk Factors at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, Germany, was quoted as saying.

Xanthohumol belongs to the group of flavonoids that are found in many plants, fruit, vegetables and spices, especially in hops. Studies to date have shown that xanthohumol blocks the action of estrogen by binding to its receptor, which may lead to prevention of breast cancer. Since testosterone receptors behave similarly to estrogen receptors, the researchers sought to determine whether xanthohumol might not only block the effects of estrogen, but also of the male hormone androgen.
 
Dr. Gerhauser and colleagues stimulated hormone-dependent prostate cancer cells with testosterone, which led to a massive secretion of prostate specific antigen (PSA), an early indicator of prostate cancer in men. Cells were then treated with testosterone and xanthohumol. "Xanthohumol prevented the receptor from translocating to the cell nucleus, thus inhibiting its potential to stimulate the secretion of PSA and other hormone-dependent effects," Dr. Gerhauser said.

When researchers measured the anti-androgenic potential of xanthohumol in a rat model, they found that although xanthohumol was not able to prevent an increase in prostate weight after testosterone treatment, it could reduce testosterone-increased seminal vesicle weight.

Dr. Gerhauser said, "Although the prostate weights were not changed, xanthohumol still reduced the effects of hormone signaling, such as gene expression, measured in the prostate tissue."

SOURCE: Presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, Houston, TX,    Dec. 6-9, 2009

RICHMOND, Va. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- I feel great. I'm taking care of myself. I'm eating all my fruits and veggies. Have you ever told one of these fibs before? If you've told one to your doctor, you're in good company. A new survey shows lying to your doctor is a common habit. But, you might want to be honest at your next visit.

A recent survey shows 52 percent of women reported that they routinely lie to their doctors. And a quarter didn't think it was a big deal. Doctor Michael Weaver, M.D., internal medicine and addiction medicine specialist, says that's a common misconception.

"Something that a doctor would consider important, a patient may not recognize a connection to," Weaver explained to Ivanhoe.

Some of the top lies: I don't smoke, I don't drink, I floss all the time, I've never had an STD, I exercise regularly, I always use sunscreen, I'm monogamous -- and I'm not taking any other meds. Many patients said they lie out of fear, embarrassment or because they want approval from their doctor.

"It's much more important to be honest and try to be accurate," Weaver says.

Here's why. Remember our list? Well -- if you really do smoke you may not heal as well after surgery. If you do drink your doctor may not prescribe certain meds. If youhave an s-t-d delayed treatment can lead to fertility problems or even cervical cancer. If you don't use sunscreen your doctor may not perform important screening tests, and certain drug interactions can kill you! Telling the truth erases all these potential dangers.

So when it comes to your health, remember honestyis the best policy.

In a johns Hopkins study, researchers looked at how often those with breathing problems used an inhaler. 73 percent of patients reported using the inhaler three times a day, but data showed only 15 percent were actually using it that often. About 14 percent deliberately emptied their inhalers before their appointments to make it look like they were good patients.