How common are complementary therapies for treating prostate diseases?

About one-third of American men with prostate cancer use at least one form of herbal or "natural" remedy -- and that figure doesn't include men who use acupuncture, massage, or another complementary therapy. Although statistics are harder to find for how many men use complementary therapies for other prostate conditions and their side effects, a wide array of products are promoted for these conditions, suggesting that there are many who do. Even so, the issue of complementary therapies doesn't often come up during a visit to the physician. Patients tend not to mention the nonprescription therapies they are using, and doctors may not ask about them. Please let your physician know if you are taking these supplements.