What To Do To Avoid Prostate Cancer

Foods That Help Fight Prostate Cancer

If you are looking for information about the best foods to fight prostate cancer, you’ve come to the right place. This section of HealWithFood.org’s Guide to Preventing Prostate Cancer presents 15 awesome prostate cancer fighting foods that may help reduce your risk of developing this dangerous disease which affects millions of men around the world .

The Facts Of Prostate Cancer

The prostate, an organ located under the bladder, produces semen. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States. About 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

The risk of developing prostate cancer progressively increases with age. About 60 percent of all prostate cancers in the United States are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older. It is rare for men to develop prostate cancer before age 40.

Theres no absolute prostate cancer prevention, but evidence suggests diet plays a key role. Keep reading for diet tips and more information.

Prostate Cancer Nutrition And Dietary Supplements Patient Version

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Men in the United States get prostate cancer more than any other type of cancer except skin cancer. It occurs mainly in older men. In the United States, about 1 in every 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Most men with prostate cancer do not die of it.

Complementary and alternative medicine is a form of treatment used in addition to or instead of standard treatments.

CAM use among men with prostate cancer is common. Studies of why men with prostate cancer decide to use CAM show that their choice is based on medical history, beliefs about the safety and side effects of CAM compared to standard treatments, and a need to feel in control of their treatment.

CAM treatments used by men with prostate cancer include certain foods, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, and minerals.

Different types of research have been done to study the use of CAM in prostate cancer. These study types include the following:

This PDQ summary has sections about the use of specific foods and dietary supplements to prevent or treat prostate cancer:

Each section includes the following information for each food or dietary supplement:

• How it is given or taken.
• Results of studies done in people.
• Side effects or risks.

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Questions And Answers About Vitamin E

What is vitamin E?

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may help protect cells from damage. Vitamin E also affects how signals are sent within cells and how the cell makes RNA and proteins.

There are eight forms of vitamin E: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols . Alpha-tocopherol, the form of vitamin E used in dietary supplements, is found in greater amounts in the body and is the most active form of vitamin E. Most vitamin E in the diet comes from gamma-tocopherol. Food sources of vitamin E include vegetable oils, nuts, and egg yolks.

• Vitamin E and selenium.
• Two placebos.

SELECT results published in 2011 showed that men taking vitamin E alone had a 17% increase in prostate cancer risk compared with men who did not take vitamin E.

Several factors may have affected study results, including the dose of vitamin E.

Clinical trials

Have any side effects or risks been reported from vitamin E?

In the Physicians Health Study II and the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group, there was a higher number of strokes caused by a broken blood vessel in the brain in men who took vitamin E than in men who took a placebo.

Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Are Used To Study Ways To Prevent Cancer

Cancer prevention clinical trials are used to study ways to lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Some cancer prevention trials are conducted with healthy people who have not had cancer but who have an increased risk for cancer. Other prevention trials are conducted with people who have had cancer and are trying to prevent another cancer of the same type or to lower their chance of developing a new type of cancer. Other trials are done with healthy volunteers who are not known to have any risk factors for cancer.

The purpose of some cancer prevention clinical trials is to find out whether actions people take can prevent cancer. These may include eating fruits and vegetables, exercising, quitting smoking, or taking certain medicines, vitamins, minerals, or food supplements.

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What The Research Says

Steps to reduce cancer risk often include a lot of things you shouldnt do. So, it may be welcoming news to learn that something many men find pleasurable may help reduce your risk of prostate cancer.

Researchers dont understand exactly why frequent ejaculation might provide protection against prostate cancer. One theory is that ejaculation rids the prostate gland of cancer-causing materials, infection, and matter that can cause inflammation.

Despite strong evidence in favor of frequent ejaculation, the theory remains controversial. And there are . The greatest controversy regarding these studies is about the age when ejaculation occurs.

A 2008 determined that men were more likely to develop prostate cancer if they were very sexually active in their twenties and thirties. The study also found no conclusive evidence that masturbation provide greater risk than intercourse.

Prostate cancer is the second most common kind of cancer men get. Skin cancer is the most common cancer. In the United States, one in seven men will get prostate cancer at some point in their life.

The following factors affect your risk of getting prostate cancer:

You may also have an increased risk if youve had sex with 30 or more women or if youve had a sexually transmitted disease. This may be because of your sexual habits. Alternately, it could be that you have a stronger sex drive due to higher levels of male hormones, which can be a risk factor.

Can Certain Foods Kill Prostate Cancer

There is no particular food or recipe that can directly kill prostate cancer cells. Research is underway to discover the foods that may help prevent prostate cancer and aid the complete recovery of prostate cancer patients. It must be noted that the scientifically proven therapies for prostate cancer are crucial for treatment and should not be replaced by other means, including dietary supplements. Some of the foods that are suggested by studies to help in recovery or prevent prostate cancer relapse include

A balanced diet that includes these foods may promote an overall sense of well-being and help limit prostate cancer. Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out the wastes and toxins from the body and keep the metabolism at optimum levels. Avoid sugary drinks and foods, red meat, barbecued or deep-fried foods and processed foods , get ample rest and perform regular physical activities as per the doctors advice.

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You May Find That When You Orgasm

If this is important to you, ask your doctor or nurse about it. Hifu is sometimes an option if your prostate cancer has started to break out of. It is normally found at very low levels in outdoor air and in drinking water from rivers. You may worry about talking to your doctor or practice nurse about this, but they are used to talking about many different needs. Alcohol is the most harmful thing for the liver. 04.11.2019 · 10 studies were included to examine prostate cancer risk, and 4 studies were included to investigate the risk of death from prostate cancer. However, for men with prostate cancer, consuming eggs increased the risk of prostate cancer. It forms naturally from the decay of radioactive elements, such as uranium, which are found in different amounts in soil and rock throughout the world. It’s better to be vegetarian and keep away from meat, chicken, pork, cheese, bacon, carbonated drinks, and butter. Consuming nicotine in any form can absorb toxins like nicotine and ammonia into your blood. If you find it difficult to. This means you may not be able to have children naturally after treatment. Radon is present outdoors and indoors.

How Do Doctors Know If Prostate Cancer Has Spread

If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may need to undergo further testing to determine whether it has metasticized beyond your prostate to other parts of your body.

• Computed tomography scans. This type of scan uses X-rays to create detailed images from multiple angles. It can be used to determine the size of tumors on your prostate. You also may undergo this if your doctor suspects that your cancer has spread beyond your prostate to nearby lymph nodes.

• Bone scans. When it spreads, prostate cancer often affects the bones. To see if this has happened, you will be injected with a small amount of radioactive material that will allow a special type of camera to pick up signs of cancer in your bones.

• Additional MRI scans. MRI images can help your doctor determine how far your prostate cancer has progressed, including whether it has spread beyond your prostate to other parts of your body.

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Vitamin Mineral And Other Supplements

Vitamin E and selenium: Some early studies suggested that taking vitamin E or selenium supplements might lower prostate cancer risk.

But in a large study known as the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial , neither vitamin E nor selenium supplements were found to lower prostate cancer risk. In fact, men in the study taking the vitamin E supplements were later found to have a slightly higher risk of prostate cancer.

Soy and isoflavones: Some early research has suggested possible benefits from soy proteins in lowering prostate cancer risk. Several studies are now looking more closely at the possible effects of these proteins.

Taking any supplements can have both risks and benefits. Before starting vitamins or other supplements, talk with your doctor.

Exercise And Lose Weight

Exercising and losing weight are some of the best things you can do to promote prostate health. Many studies show that moderate or vigorous exercise reduces risk of BPH and urinary tract symptoms and helps with prostatitis as well. Exercise also benefits your cardiovascular health and can help prevent other health and sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction.

If you are overweight, losing weight is one of the most important natural changes you can make in improving your prostate health, whether your concerns are cancer, BPH or prostatitis. A study published in the Journal of Urology found that overweight men, especially men with a high amount of abdominal fat, have an increased risk of BPH. If you are looking to shrink the prostate, losing weight can help you reduce your prostate size and help relieve annoying and frustrating urinary symptoms. On top of that, weight loss can reduce your risk for prostate cancer and help relieve prostatitis, too.

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Five Foods To Protect Your Prostate

Good news if youre worried about your prostate health: What you eat can make a difference. There is plenty of strong evidence that good nutrition and an active lifestyle can reduce the likelihood of prostate cancer and slow its progression, says Mitchell Sokoloff M.D., Chair of the Department of Urology and Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

There are a few categorical changes you can make to your diet that make a big difference in overall health, as well as prostate health. What you eat can potentially disadvantage your prostate health e.g. foods you might want to avoid or protect the prostate in various ways. The Science of Living Well, Beyond Cancer recommends a diet that is high in colorful vegetables, low in sugar and processed carbohydrates, and moderate in animal-based protein . Some might refer to this as a version of the Mediterranean Diet. PCF-funded epidemiologist Lorelei Mucci, M.P.H., Sc.D., at Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health notes that people in Mediterranean countries not only eat more vegetables and fruits they also eat less fatty foods, processed food, and red meat categories that can increase insulin resistance, increase inflammation, raise cardiovascular risk and be a part of a dietary pattern that may increase obesity, as well.

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:

• Your PSA level

• Your Gleason score

• Your current health and comorbidities

• 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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Drugs To Prevent Prostate Cancer

Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia are often treated with dihydrotestosterone -lowering drugs called finasteride or dutasteride. These drugs have been studied extensively to determine whether they can prevent prostate cancer, and results suggest that they could reduce cancer risk by about 25 percent. Patients who develop cancer while on the drugs are more likely to get an aggressive form of the disease, so discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your doctor.

Purpose Of This Summary

This PDQ cancer information summary has current information about the use of nutrition and dietary supplements for reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer or for treating prostate cancer. It is meant to inform and help patients, families, and caregivers. It does not give formal guidelines or recommendations for making decisions about health care.

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More Strategies For Prostate Cancer Prevention

Following a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limiting your alcohol intake to two or fewer drinks per day, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, and visiting your doctor regularly to monitor your prostate health can also be helpful for prostate cancer prevention.

If youre considering using any type of dietary supplement for prostate cancer prevention, make sure to consult your doctor about the potential benefits and risks involved. Self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences.

At What Age Should Men Be Screened For Prostate Cancer

Here’s what the American Cancer Society says about when to pursue prostate cancer screening:

• Beginning at age 50, the organization recommends that you discuss the pros and cons of screening with your doctor.

• If youre at higher risk of prostate cancer, this discussion should take place:

• At age 45 for African American men, and for men who have a first-degree relativemeaning, a father or brotherwho has or had prostate cancer.

• At age 40 for men who have more than one first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer, and for men with a family history of either breast or ovarian cancers linked to the BRCA gene mutations.

Men over 70, and those who are not expected to live more than 10 more years due their current health or age, should not be screened. Even if they have prostate cancer, the disease likely wont cause symptoms during the remainder of their lives.

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What Are The Other Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer

But your gene pool is not the only possible trigger for prostate cancer. Other risk factors include:

• Advancing age. Prostate cancer rarely occurs in men under 40. Once you turn 50, however, your risk begins to rise. Men over the age of 65 account for more than half of all prostate cancer diagnoses.

• Race. In the U.S., African American men are about 60% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white men, and they are two-to-three times more likely to die from it. It can also develop at a younger age. The reasons why are unclear. Genetic differences may account for some of the differences, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , as well as systemic disparities in healthcare, which can lead to less access to cancer care, including screenings for early detection.

You cant change risk factors like your age or your race. But can your diet and other lifestyle habits change your level of risk?

Overview Of Cam Use In Prostate Cancer

Studies of CAM use to treat prostate cancer have shown the following:

• Men who have prostate cancer are more likely to take dietary supplements and eat certain foods than men who do not have prostate cancer.
• Men who have prostate cancer and who have healthy eating habits are more likely to take dietary supplements.
• Men who have prostate cancer use CAM treatments to help boost the immune system, improve quality of life, and lower the risk of the cancer coming back, but only half of them tell their doctors about their use of CAM.

Studies of CAM use to lower prostate cancer risk or to prevent it from coming back have shown the following:

• A study of men with a family history of prostate cancer found that over half used vitamins or other dietary supplements for prostate health or to prevent cancer.
• A study of men at a prostate cancer screening clinic found that over half took multivitamins and some took herbal supplements.
• A study of prostate cancer survivors found that up to one-third took vitamins or minerals.

See the PDQ summary on Prostate Cancer Prevention for more information on prostate cancer prevention.

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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:

Based on questionnaires completed by more than 30,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, researchers found an inverse relationship between physical activity and BPH symptoms. Simply put, men who were more physically active were less likely to suffer from BPH. Even low- to moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking regularly at a moderate pace, yielded benefits.

Using data from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, researchers also examined the relationship between erectile dysfunction and exercise. They found that men who ran for an hour and a half or did three hours of rigorous outdoor work per week were 20% less likely to develop ED than those who didn’t exercise at all. More physical activity conferred a greater benefit. Interestingly, regardless of the level of exercise, men who were overweight or obese had a greater risk of ED than men with an ideal body mass index, or BMI.

Get more information and the latest news about prostate health at www.HarvardProstateKnowledge.org.