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Article: Saw Palmetto
- Article from:
- Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Saw palmetto
Definition
Saw palmetto is a natural plant remedy used to treat men who are experiencing difficulty when urinating.
Purpose
Saw palmetto is not used to treat cancer. It is used to treat non-malignant enlargement of the prostate gland, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Description
The prostate gland is found only in men. It is located where the bladder drains into the urethra. The urethra is the tube that takes urine out of the body. The prostate gland contributes to the fluid in which sperm are ejaculated (semen).
It is common for the prostate to enlarge in men over age 50. This enlargement often is not malignant. It is thought to occur because of the ...