Synthetic Estrogen (DES) Found in Herbal Prostate Cancer Supplement PC SPES
BY JACQUELINE STRAX © PSA RISING
Click to enlarge. New York, Saturday, July 14, 2001: 3:37 EST - Measurable quantities of the synthetic estrogen DES appear to have been found in 2 samples of the "natural" herbal compound PC SPES bearing the label of BotanicLab, Brea, CA.
PC SPES is sold as a dietary supplement for use by prostate cancer patients. PC stands for Prostate Cancer; Spes is Latin for Hope.
Susan Domizi, wife of Connecticut prostate cancer survivor David Domizi, has released faxed, quantitative results of tests for DES in four samples of the herbal compound PC-SPES. Domizi recently contracted with an independent testing laboratory (which she says is highly credentialed) to test 4 unopened samples (different Lot #'s) of PC-SPES for the detectable presence (or not) of DES, the synthetic molecule, using Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrophotometery Analysis.
After e-mailing .pdf files of the results to PSA Rising, Dimizi e-mailed the PC-SPES mailing list:
[PC-SPES] lab results received (faxed)
Sat, 14 Jul 2001 02:58:17 -0400To all:
I have received the faxed final laboratory reports for the 4 samples of different Lot #'s of PC-SPES that I submitted for testing.
Two are reported to contain the drug (a synthetic molecule) DES (diethylstilbestrol) (the older Lot #'s) Two are reported negative for DES. (the recent Lot #'s)
The findings are summarized below. I have created Adobe Acrobat "pdf" files which I will send to anyone who directly requests them from me so that you can print them out. Being faxes, the quality is poor, - but they are legible enough until the hard copy is received. On the "pdf" files, the handwritten Lot/Exp and "circle" are mine.
All four pages note that: "TAMPER EVIDENT SEAL INTACT" Capsule Weight is reported for each Lot #, ranging from 278 mg. to 338.6 mg.
(Note: I do not know if this is the NET wt, or gross wt of the capsule). DES level is reported in micrograms.
RESULTS SUMMARY:
LOT # EXP. DIETHYLSTILBESTEROL CAPSULE WT
5436285 3-00 40.4 MCG 278.0 MG
5430125 06/2002 69.3 MCG 330.2 MG
5431106 04/2003 NEGATIVE 338.6 MG
5431164 06/2003 NEGATIVE 302.61 MG
While my husband, David was on Lot #5431106, his PSA jumped to 5.6 He was on the old Lot# 5430125 from June 20 until July 10. His PSA taken that day fell to 2.7.
I still believe the herbal combination helps, -and in fact seems to be enough for some men...but it wasn't enough for David.
Susan Domizi
So far, Domizi is withholding the name of the laboratory. She does plan to get it corroborated. In her .pdf files (download below) she has blocked out the lab's name and address and name of the CEO. Earlier, Domizi said this lab is qualified to do the relevant test -- Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrographic Analysis.
Why are we running an uncorroborated story based on blacked out files? This is an urgent matter, whatever is going on in detail. A charge of alteration of a formula has been presented with considerable backup. For prostate cancer patients who are taking PC SPES, the best thing to do is BE VIGILANT. If Domizi's hunch is correct and her evidence sound -- then current batches of PC SPES may NOT work for you.
If for any reason she is totally wrong -- if these specific batches are old, decayed, tampered with, fake, mislabeled, whatever -- it won't hurt anyone to be cautious and vigilant till that is proven. Check with your doctor.
Regrettably, BotanicLab has not yet set up a hotline. Even if this is a totally false alarm, they have a duty to help their customers. As yet they have made no effort to help patients act vigilantly until this is cleared up with certainty. They and their suppliers are simply saying, so far, nothing is happening, go on taking the pills.
Copies of the faxed results are here in four .pdf files. To read them you need Acrobat Reader -- free. We're making images of the results for those who don't want to use the Reader.
1: 0125.pdf
3: 1164.pdf
4: 6285.pdf
Earlier:
No DES in Prostate Cancer Herbal Supplement, BotanicLab Vouches July 10 2001
Turmoil Over Prostate Cancer Supplement -- Estrogen Added or Missing? July 9 2001:12:12:32 AM EST
Prostate Cancer Herbal Mix Alleged to Contain Synthetic Estrogen (DES)Samples Testing DES-Free Claimed Less Effective July 8, 2001