Prostate Cancer Is The Second Most Common Cancer Among Men In The United States
Prostate cancer is most common in older men. In the U.S., about one out of ten men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die of it.
See the following PDQ summaries for more information about prostate cancer:
- Avoiding risk factors and increasing protective factors may help prevent cancer.
- The following risk factors may increase the risk of prostate cancer:
- Age
- Family history of prostate cancer
- Race
Improving Your Sexual Activity
Reported widely, certain reports suggest a positive link between ejaculation and the risk of prostate cancer. However, a lot of the data of conflicting nature is available too, suggesting that no such link exists. No report, however, says that ejaculation is bad for prostate cancer.
One study, conducted at Harvard Medical School, in fact, specifies the healthy number to 21 times a month, without any segregation between masturbation and intercourse. It may or may not have a positive impact, but the bottom line is that there is no harm in it as long as it is all safe.
So, if you run your eyes over the listed to-dos, you will realize that they all primarily call for a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the list doesnt end with these five items and extends to everything you can do to have that lifestyle.
Between keeping your vitamins in check to the proper sleeping and waking up routine, everything contributes to it. It doesnt mean you have got to include everything in your life and overwhelm yourself, but try to incorporate as much of it as you can. Lastly, do not forget to get yourself examined for prostate as per your PSA level. For care at home, call Annies Place.
The Following Risk Factors May Increase The Risk Of Prostate Cancer:
Age
Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 50 years of age. The chance of developing prostate cancer increases as men get older.
Family history of prostate cancer
A man whose father, brother, or son has had prostate cancer has a higher-than-average risk of prostate cancer.
Race
Prostate cancer occurs more often in African American men than in White men. African American men with prostate cancer are more likely to die from the disease than White men with prostate cancer.
Hormones
The prostate needs male hormones to work the way it should. The main male sex hormone is testosterone. Testosterone helps the body develop and maintain male sex characteristics.
Testosterone is changed into dihydrotestosterone by an enzyme in the body. DHT is important for normal prostate growth but can also cause the prostate to get bigger and may play a part in the development of prostate cancer.
Vitamin E
The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial found that vitamin E taken alone increased the risk of prostate cancer. The risk continued even after the men stopped taking vitamin E.
Folic acid
Dairy and calcium
A diet high in dairy foods and calcium may cause a small increase in the risk of prostate cancer.
Also Check: Nm Bone Scan Whole Body Prostate Cancer
How To Reduce Your Risk Of Prostate Cancer
When considering taking steps to help lower your risk of prostate cancer, you should keep in mind that some risk factors are beyond your control. There’s very little you can do if your family has a history of prostate cancer, for example.
While theres no proven way to prevent prostate cancer completely, simple changes made today can go a long way in reducing your risk.
Have you considered clinical trials for Prostate cancer?
We make it easy for you to participate in a clinical trial for Prostate cancer, and get access to the latest treatments not yet widely available – and be a part of finding a cure.
What To Expect During A Prostate Exam
However, theres some controversy around using 5-ARIs to prevent prostate cancer. Several studies suggest that 5-ARIs may lower your risk, while others proposed the drugs may actually increase it .
In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning against using 5-ARIs to prevent prostate cancer. If youre considering using these drugs, talk to a healthcare provider beforehand about the risks and benefits .
Recommended Reading: What Color Represents Prostate Cancer
Nutrition And Prostate Cancer
Differences in diet and lifestyle may account for the variability of prostate cancer rates in different countries. Good nutrition may reduce the incidence of prostate cancer and help reduce the risk of prostate cancer progression. There are many lifestyle studies currently being conducted to further understand how diet and prostate cancer are related.
We do know that improved nutrition reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity, and usually improves overall quality of life. It’s estimated that a third of cancer deaths in the United States can be attributed to diet in adults, including diet’s effect on obesity. Additionally, a healthy diet helps to increase energy levels, facilitate recovery and enhance the immune system.
Researchers conducted an 11-day study where men followed the Pritikin program. The Pritikin program includes a diet that is high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains and very low in fat. This diet is used in combination with 60 minutes of daily exercise. Serum IGF-I decreased by 20 percent after following the program for 11 days. Higher IGF-I values previously have been associated with higher risk for various cancers, including prostate cancer. This reduction in IGF-I may be related to the lower serum insulin levels observed with a healthy, low-fat, plant-based diet and regular exercise.
Prevent Prostate Cancer With Lifestyle Changes
When it comes to prostate cancer, there are some risk factors men can control and others they cant. Among the uncontrollable prostate cancer risk factors are age , ethnicity and genetics or a family history . As for prostate cancer risk factors men can control, these include diet and other lifestyle components. Urologist Michael Zaragoza, MD, shares the following in terms of what men can do with regard to controllable factors to help prevent prostate cancer.
Avoid diets high in saturated fat and low in fiber. A diet high in saturated fat and trans fatty acids and low in fiber increases risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, read food labels and stay away from saturated fats and trans fatty acids and replace these bad fats with the good omega-3 fatty acids found in nuts, seeds and fish.
To help prevent prostate cancer, men should also increase the amount of fiber in their diet and take a fiber supplement if needed. Some examples of high-fiber foods are whole wheat, apples, bananas, beans, and broccoli. In addition to fiber, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables contain a compound called sulforaphane, which has been shown in some research studies to reduce risk of prostate cancer.
Avoid charred meat. Research suggests that charred meat may have an overall carcinogenic effect. Thats because when meat is grilled it produces chemicals that have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Therefore, its best to avoid grilling meat and use other cooking methods instead.
Don’t Miss: Final Stages Of Prostate Cancer Life Expectancy
Family History And Genes
Your risk of prostate cancer is higher if you have a close relative, such as a brother or father, who has had prostate cancer.
Some inherited genes can increase your risk of prostate cancer. These inherited genes are rare and account for only a small number of prostate cancers.
The risk increases by up to 5 times in men with the gene BRCA2. And the risk might increase with the BRCA1 gene. These genes also cause breast and ovarian cancers.
Men with a rare syndrome called Lynch syndrome have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer and some other cancers. A change in one of the genes that fixes mistakes in DNA causes this syndrome eg. MSH2 and MLH1 genes.
Researchers are looking into other genes that might also increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Selenium And Vitamin E
The medical community once considered selenium and vitamin E to be opponents of cancer.
However, more recent research suggests that these compounds, when taken together or in isolation, can increase the risk of prostate cancer in some people.
Anyone concerned about prostate cancer should avoid supplements containing vitamin E or selenium.
Don’t Miss: What Should My Prostate Feel Like
What Is A Healthy Diet
A balanced diet should contain all of the food groups shown in the Eatwell Guide below. This will ensure your body has all the energy and nutrients it needs, and only a small amount of fatty and sugary foods.
The Eatwell Guide shows how much of what you eat should come from each food group. This includes everything you eat and drink during the day.
There are lots of healthy eating tips and recipes on the NHS and World Cancer Research Fund websites.
- Eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.
- Base meals on starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, plantain and sweet potato, choosing wholegrain versions where possible.
- Have some dairy or dairy alternatives, such as soya drinks, and choose lower-fat options.
- Eat some protein, such as beans, pulses, fish, eggs and lean meat include two portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily.
- Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and eat these in small amounts.
- Drink six to eight glasses of fluid a day.
- Only have small amounts of foods and drinks that are high in saturated fat or salt, such as butter, cakes and crisps.
- Choose low-sugar foods and drinks that contain 5g or less of sugar per 100g.
Things You Can Change: Diet And Lifestyle
Men in western countries have much higher rates of prostate cancer than men in Asia. While no one can definitively explain this phenomenon, experts suspect differences in eastern and western diets are to blame. Poor eating habits and diets that heavily rely on fats and animal proteins can cause DNA damage and lead to cancer.
Even men who are already at greater risk due to age, race or genetics can reduce their chances of developing prostate cancer by adopting healthy diets and lifestyles.
Also Check: Brca Gene And Prostate Cancer
Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer
Like many other diagnoses, prostate cancer has risk factors you can change and those you cant. For example, smoking is a potential risk factor that you can change. But we have no control over things like age, family history, and racethe main risk factors for prostate cancer.
If you have a direct relative diagnosed with prostate cancer , your chances of getting it are twice as high. Age increases the risk of many cancers, prostate cancer being just one. Stats show its rare before age 45 and becomes more common as men get older most cases of prostate cancer are seen in those 65 and older.
Its not entirely clear why, but African American men have almost double the risk of prostate cancer and are more likely to die from the disease. It could be due to inherited genes, environmental factors, or a combination of both .
What Is A Healthy Weight
A quick way to check if youre a healthy weight is to measure your waist. Wrap a tape measure around your body, half-way between the top of your hips and the bottom of your ribs. For a man, if your waist size is 94cm or more, youre likely to be overweight. This means you have a higher risk of health problems, possibly including aggressive or advanced prostate cancer.
A healthy weight can also improve your general wellbeing and help to prevent other health problems, such as type-2 diabetes, heart disease and some other cancers.
Visit the NHS website to read about other ways of checking whether youre a healthy weight.
Recommended Reading: Does Viagra Work After Prostate Surgery
Sex Masturbation And Prostate Cancer: What We Know
Given that the prostate is a reproductive organ that produces fluid for the ejaculate, researchers have long wondered about the ways that sexual factors might influence mens risk for developing this kind of cancer. And last year, they got some answers which provided optimistic news for sexually active men.
Last year, the journal European Urology published the results of a Harvard University study that looked at that very question. And it found that men who ejaculate frequently throughout adulthood are less likely to eventually get a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Eat Less Meat And Dairy
Studies have shown that men who eat foods high in animal fat, such as dairy and red meat, were more likely to develop prostate cancer. Its important to note that these studies do not show that fattening foods actually cause prostate cancer rather, they show there is a correlation between prostate cancer and consuming things like cheese or bacon. Nonetheless, oncologist Dr. David Wise of the Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone advises patients to err on the side of caution and get most of their fat from avocados and nuts over animal products.
Also Check: What Not To Eat For Enlarged Prostate
Stay Active To Support Prostate Health
In addition to eating a healthy diet, you should stay active. Regular exercise pares down your risk of developing some deadly problems, including heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. And although relatively few studies have directly assessed the impact of exercise on prostate health, those that have been done have concluded, for the most part, that exercise is beneficial. For example:
Get more information and the latest news about prostate health at www.HarvardProstateKnowledge.org.
How To Reduce The Risk Of Prostate Cancer
This article was co-authored by Robert Dhir, MD. Dr. Robert Dhir is a board certified Urologist, Urological Surgeon, and the Founder of HTX Urology in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Dhirs expertise includes minimally-invasive treatments for enlarged prostate , kidney stone disease, surgical management of urological cancers, and mens health . His practice has been named a Center of Excellence for the UroLift procedure, and is a pioneer in non-surgical procedures for ED using his patented Wave Therapy. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Georgetown University and was awarded honors in pre-medical studies, urology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. Dr. Dhir served as chief resident during his urological surgical residency at University of Texas at Houston / MD Anderson Cancer Center in addition to completing his internship in general surgery. Dr. Dhir was voted Top Doctor in Urology for 2018 to 2019, one of the top three Best Rated Urologists in 2019 & 2020 for Houston Texas, and Texas Monthly has named him to the 2019 & 2020 Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars list.There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 129,735 times.
Recommended Reading: Can Prostate Cancer Cause Dizziness
Can Prostate Cancer Be Prevented
Yes, prostate cancer prevention is possible and effective. Though there is no single strategy that ensures ways to prevent prostate cancer, a variety of precautionary measures can be successful.
Here are some expert-approved tips on how to prevent prostate cancer:
1. Load up on fruits and vegetables: A healthy diet filled with a range of fruits and vegetables is customary to prostate cancer prevention. Several studies have proved that the antioxidants present in these food items prevent damage to cells present in the prostate.
Red fruits such as tomatoes are rich in lycopene . Lycopene has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Other fruits and vegetables that protect against this cancer are leafy greens such as spinach, beans, peas, blueberries, grapefruit, oranges and watermelon.
2. Consider taking vitamin supplements: Vitamins and minerals are essential to our overall well-being. They are regarded as significant in prostate cancer prevention guidelines.
However, maintaining a well-balanced intake of vitamins, minerals and proteins through natural means is not always possible. Supplements help us to compensate for any nutrient demand that has not been met.
3. Exercise most days of the week: The importance of exercise for cancer prevention is crystal clear. Irrespective of your body weight, you are advised to engage in physical activity regularly.
What Is Your Prostate And What Does It Do
Your prostate is a small gland that lives inside your body, just below your bladder. It sits around the urethra, which is the tube that carries pee from your bladder through your penis. Only men have a prostate.
Your prostate produces some of the fluids contained in your semen, the liquid that transports sperm. This liquid contains special enzymes and hormones that help your sperm cells function properly, which means the prostate plays a key part in your fertility. The muscles in your prostate also help push semen through your urethra when you ejaculate.
Also Check: Tamsulosin Abnormal Ejaculation
Also Check: Can You Get Prostate Cancer Without A Prostate