Aspirin May Cut Enlarged Prostate Risk
Other Anti-Inflammatory Drugs May Also Help Prevent Common Problem in Men
Aug. 30, 2006 — An enlarged prostate is almost a rite of passage for men as they age, but a daily aspirin may cut the risk of this common problem.
Men who reported daily use of aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, were 25% less likely to develop moderate to severe enlarged prostate symptoms.
The findings suggest that anti-inflammatory drugs may prevent or delay development of an enlarged prostate, according to researcher Jennifer St. Sauver, PhD, and colleagues.
Aspirin Good For Men With Enlarged Prostate
Older men who regularly take aspirin or a similar painkiller may help keep prostate enlargement at bay, a new study finds.
The common condition, called benign prostatic hyperplasia, typically affects one of every four men ages 40 to 50 and almost half of those over 70, experts say. Enlarged prostate can lead to frequent urination and other bothersome effects.
However, men who regularly took a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug “had a reduction of 50 percent in enlargement and a 35 percent reduction in moderate to severe urinary problems,” said Jenny St. Sauver, a Mayo Clinic epidemiologist who led the study, which was reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
It didn’t matter which NSAID a man was taking: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or a more expensive cox-2 inhibitor such as Celebrex, St. Sauver said. “Eighty percent were taking daily aspirin,” she said. “We did look at the other drugs, but the differences were not statistically significant.”
The study was prompted by several earlier studies that suggested a decreased risk of prostate cancer for men who took NSAIDs regularly. This study included nearly 2,500 men living in the neighborhood of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Data on NSAID use and prostate enlargement arose from questionnaires the men completed every two years from 1990 to 2002.
The warning against indiscriminate use of NSAIDs was repeated in stronger terms by Eric Jacobs, senior epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society.
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How Are Prostate Cancer Stages Determined
Once all testing has been completed, your doctor will tell you the stage of your cancer, or how much it has progressed and whether it has spread beyond your prostate. The stage will help your medical team decide which treatment is best for you. The higher the stage, the more advanced your cancer. The most common way to stage prostate cancer is the TNM system, developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer, which hinges on three important factors:
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T : How much of your prostate the tumor affects
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N : Whether the cancer has spread beyond your prostate to nearby lymph nodes
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M : Whether your cancer has metastasized, or spread far beyond your prostate to your bones, to nearby organs such as your bladder or rectum, or to more distant organs like your lungs, liver, or brain.
The TNM system also includes your PSA level and your Grade Group, based on your Gleason score. With your stage designated, which is labeled in a range of T1 to T4 , a treatment plan can be developed.
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How Do I Prepare For A Prostate Ultrasound
You dont need to do much to prepare for a prostate ultrasound. Its an outpatient procedure that usually takes less than an hour. Your doctor may refer you to a hospital or clinic that has the proper ultrasound equipment for this test. You may also need to sign a consent form before the test.
Some possible instructions that your doctor might give you before the test include:
- Dont eat for a few hours before the test.
- Take a laxative or enema to help clear out your intestines a few hours before the test.
- Stop taking any medications that can thin your blood, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin, about a week before the procedure. This is usually recommended if your doctor plans to take a biopsy of your prostate.
- Dont wear any jewelry or tight clothes to the clinic on the day of the procedure.
- Take any medications recommended to help you relax during the procedure. Your doctor may recommend a sedative, such as lorazepam .
- Make sure someones available to take you home in case your doctor gives you a sedative.
What Happens Before The Cat Scan
If a dye is required for your CAT scan, you may be instructed to have a blood test first. The purpose of the blood test is to make sure your kidneys will be able to get rid of the dye. Not getting this blood test may delay your CAT scan appointment.
Drink only clear liquids after midnight the night before your scan. Clear liquids include things you can see through . Examples include clear broth, tea, strained fruit juices, strained vegetable soup, black coffee, and ginger ale. You may also eat plain Jell-O.
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Can A Ct Scan Tell If A Lymph Node Is Cancerous
Computed Tomography Scans
CT scans are different than standard x-rays because they create a series of pictures taken from different angles and produce much clearer images. A CT scan of the chest or abdomen can help detect an enlarged lymph node or cancers in the liver, pancreas, lungs, bones and spleen.
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Prostate Cancer And Aspirin
“That daily aspirin you are taking for your heart may also be good for your prostate. A preliminary study of 2,500 men suffering from enlarged prostates, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, shows that a daily aspirin is associated with a 50 percent reduction in urinary problems. Researchers theorize that the drug might work by reducing prostate cell growth or increasing the natural death of these cells, but it is too early to know for sure.”
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When You Need Themand When You Dont
It is normal to want to do everything you can to treat prostate cancer. But its not always a good idea to get all the tests that are available. You may not need them. And the risks from the tests may be greater than the benefits.
The information below explains why cancer experts usually do not recommend certain imaging tests if you are diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. You can use this information to talk about your options with your doctor and choose whats best for you.
How is prostate cancer usually found?
Prostate cancer is cancer in the male prostate gland. It usually grows slowly and does not have symptoms until it has spread. Most men are diagnosed in the early stages when their doctor does a rectal exam or a PSA blood test. PSA is a protein made in the prostate. High levels of PSA may indicate cancer in the prostate.
If one of these tests shows that you might have prostate cancer, you will be given more tests. These tests help your doctor find out if you actually have cancer and what stage your cancer is.
What are the stages of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is divided into stages one to four . Cancer stages tell how far the cancer has spread.
Stages I and II are considered early-stage prostate cancer. The cancer has not spread outside the prostate. However, stage II cancer may be more likely to spread over time than stage I cancer. In stages III and IV, the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body.
Imaging tests have risks.
Additional Types Of Therapy For Prostate Cancer
A few other treatments exist for advanced prostate cancer or prostate cancer that has stopped responding well to other forms of hormone therapy. They are usually taken with one of the therapies discussed above.
Chemotherapy. For cases of very aggressive prostate cancer, or when hormone therapy isnât effective, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy. This class of anti-cancer drug, taken by mouth or injected, fights cancers that have spread beyond the prostate to other parts of your body. The schedule of your treatment will depend on the specific drugs you require, but chemotherapy is typically given in cycles that last two to three weeks. Once you finish a cycle, the next cycle begins. The length of your treatment hinges on how well it works and whether you can cope with the side effects. Chemotherapy drugs are used to help you live longer. They rarely cure prostate cancer, according to the ACS, and can cause unpleasant side effects, including hair loss, nausea, and fatigue.
Immunotherapy. This type of treatment harnesses the power of your immune system to fight cancer. While it has been used successfully in several types of cancer, it hasnt proved as effective in prostate canceryet. Researchers are working to discover the best ways to incorporate immune therapy into prostate cancer care, particularly for men whose cancer no longer responds to hormone treatment. In 2019, more than 100 such studies were underway.
Also Check: Alternative Cures For Prostate Cancer
Common Conditions People Have *:
* Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.
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Agbabiaka, T. B., Pittler, M. H., Wider, B., and Ernst, E. Serenoa repens : a systematic review of adverse events. Drug Saf 2009 32:637-647. View abstract.
Al Shukri, S. H., Deschaseaux, P., Kuzmin, I. V., and Amdiy, R. R. Early urodynamic effects of the lipido-sterolic extract of Serenoa repens ) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate Cancer Prostatic.Dis. 2000 3:195-199. View abstract.
Aliaev, IuG, Vinarov, A. Z., Lokshin, K. L., and Spivak, L. G. . Urologiia. 2006 :47-50. View abstract.
Anceschi, R., Bisi, M., Ghidini, N., Ferrari, G., and Ferrari, P. Serenoa repens ) reduces intra- and postoperative complications of surgical treatments of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Minerva Urol.Nefrol. 2010 62:219-223. View abstract.
Anonymous. Effectiveness of lipidosterol extract Serenoa repens in patients with prostatic hyperplasia. Urologiia. 2002 :23-25. View abstract.
Ashar, B. H., Rice, T. N., and Sisson, S. D. Medical residents’ knowledge of dietary supplements. South.Med J 2008 101:996-1000. View abstract.
Authie D and Cauquil J. Appreciation de l’efficacite de permixon en pratique quotidienne. . C R Ther Pharmacol Clin 1987 5:4-13.
Avins, A. L. and Bent, S. Saw palmetto and lower urinary tract symptoms: what is the latest evidence? Curr Urol Rep. 2006 7:260-265. View abstract.
Bauer, H. W., Casarosa, C., Cosci, M., Fratta, M., and Blessmann, G. . MMW.Fortschr.Med 6-24-1999 141:62. View abstract.
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No Link Seen Between Painkillers Enlarged Prostate
In contrast to some recent research, a new study finds no evidence that men who use aspirin or ibuprofen are at any lower risk of an enlarged prostate.
The findings, reported in the British Journal of Urology International, conflict with an earlier study finding that benign prostatic hyperplasia — the medical term for an enlarged prostate — was less common in men who regularly used NSAIDs.
NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, include common painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia , meanwhile, is thought to involve inflammation. So that raises the possibility that NSAIDs could help limit prostate enlargement, explained Siobhan Sutcliffe, the lead researcher on the new study.
That’s important because although it’s natural for a man’s prostate gland to enlarge with age, it can eventually lead to bothersome problems — like urine leakage or frequent trips to the bathroom at night.
In the U.S., men make about 4.5 million doctor visits each year due to BPH symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health.
A 2006 study had hinted that NSAIDs could offer some protection. Researchers found that of nearly 2,500 men they followed for a dozen years, those who used an NSAID everyday were less likely to develop BPH.
But that type of study can only show there’s a correlation between NSAID use and BPH risk — and not that the painkillers actually prevent prostate enlargement.
EARLY STAGES
What Are The Best Treatments For Prostate Cancer
Surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapylots of treatment options exist for prostate cancer. And, in some cases, you may need no treatment at all. Whats right for you will depend several factors:
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Your PSA level
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Your Gleason score
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Your current health and comorbidities
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The stage of your cancer, particularly whether it remains confined to your prostate or has spread to other parts of your body
Now, lets take a look at the different possibilities:
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About Dr Dan Sperling
Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.
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Pain Meds May Worsen Symptoms Of Enlarged Prostate
3 Min Read
NEW YORK – Common painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen may act as a double-edged sword when it comes to mens prostate function, according to a report in the Harvard Mens Health Watch.
Recent evidence suggests that drugs such as these, called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , may lower the risk of developing an enlarged prostate and worsen urinary symptoms in men who already have the condition.
Prostate enlargement, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia , is common among older men. The condition is unrelated to prostate cancer, but it does cause bothersome symptoms such as frequent urination and difficulty with emptying the bladder completely.
Its known that certain medications, most commonly cold and allergy remedies, can make BPH symptoms worse. Now, a large study in the Netherlands recently implicated NSAIDs as another cause of worsening BPH, according to the Harvard publication.
Using data from 5,900 men age 45 and older, researchers found that men using NSAIDs were twice as likely as non-users to develop acute urinary retention, a sudden inability to empty the bladder.
The findings stand in contrast with those from a recent U.S. study of more than 2,400 men with no history of urological problems. Those who regularly used NSAIDs were less likely to develop BPH.
The seemingly conflicting results may reflect two different actions of NSAIDs, according to the report.
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Aspirin Other Nsaids May Prevent Or Delay Enlarged Prostate
- Date:
- Mayo Clinic
- Summary:
- Mayo Clinic researchers have found that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen may prevent or delay benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlarged prostate which can cause urinary symptoms in men as they age such as frequent urination, trouble starting urination, awakening frequently at night to urinate, weak urine stream and an urgent need to urinate.
Mayo Clinic researchers have found that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen may prevent or delay benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlarged prostate which can cause urinary symptoms in men as they age such as frequent urination, trouble starting urination, awakening frequently at night to urinate, weak urine stream and an urgent need to urinate. Details will be published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
“This study suggests that men’s urinary health may be improved by taking NSAIDs,” says Michael Lieber, M.D., Mayo Clinic urologist and study investigator. He and colleagues found the risk of developing an enlarged prostate was 50 percent lower in NSAID users compared to non-users, and risk of developing moderate to severe urinary symptoms was 35 percent lower, he says.
According to Dr. Lieber, middle-aged people commonly take an NSAID in over-the-counter or prescription form to prevent heart disease or reduce arthritis symptoms.
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Enlarged Prostate Doesnt Just Affect Your Bladder
According to research, as many as half of the men aged 51 to 60 will develop BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia. An enlarged prostate. The good news about BPH lies in that one little, yet the uber-important word benign. To have an enlarged prostate doesnt indicate that you have prostate cancer, or that your risk for cancer is substantially higher. It can mean that you have to face a few unpleasant symptoms, though.
The most common symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia revolve around urination. Because your prostate gland is adjacent to the bladder, its enlargement can cause the blockage. This may result in frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, a sensation of fullness after urination, dribbling, and weak urine flow. These are the symptoms that most men have been told or experienced for themselves. But theres more. BPH can also affect your sex life. Heres how:
- Reduced sex drive and sexual satisfaction. This is related to the loss of sleep that stems from having to urinate frequently through the night more than it does any other aspect of BPH. Additionally, when the bladder feels uncomfortably full due to pressure from the blockage, anxiety may coincide with sex, diminishing the overall experience.
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What Do The Results Mean
PSA levels may be above the baseline for various reasons other than prostate cancer.
Other factors that can raise PSA levels include:
- older age
- an enlarged prostate â because of benign prostatic hyperplasia , for example
- prostatitis, which is inflammation and swelling of the prostate
Also, people with obesity may have lower PSA readings.
In addition, some medications may reduce PSA levels, including:
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which can help treat BPH
- aspirin, which some people take regularly as a blood thinner
- statins, which help manage cholesterol levels
- thiazide diuretics, a kind of water pill that can help reduce high blood pressure
Some herbal medicines and supplements can also lower PSA levels. Tell the doctor about any medications and supplements before undergoing the test.
High PSA levels alone do not indicate cancer. However, if a DRE also reveals changes, a doctor may recommend a biopsy for a more accurate result.
The PCA3 is another test for prostate cancer that doctors use in some circumstances. Find out more.