How To Reduce Your Risk Of Prostate Cancer Naturally
By Fritz
If you have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer or any other form of cancer, then you may be wondering how to reduce your risk of prostate cancer.
The good news is that the earlier you begin to take steps to fight your disease, the more likely you will be able to avoid having to undergo surgery and other serious medical treatments.
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.
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.
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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.
The Following Have Been Proven Not To Affect The Risk Of Prostate Cancer Or Their Effects On Prostate Cancer Risk Are Not Known:
Selenium and vitamin E
The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial studied whether taking vitamin E and selenium will prevent prostate cancer. The selenium and vitamin E were taken separately or together by healthy men 55 years of age and older . The study showed that taking selenium alone or selenium and vitamin E together did not decrease the risk of prostate cancer.
Diet
It is not known if decreasing fat or increasing fruits and vegetables in the diet helps decrease the risk of prostate cancer or death from prostate cancer. In the PCPT trial, certain fatty acids increased the risk of high-grade prostate cancer while others decreased the risk of high-grade prostate cancer.
Multivitamins
Regular use of multivitamins has not been proven to increase the risk of early or localized prostate cancer. However, a large study showed an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer among men who took multivitamins more than seven times a week.
Lycopene
Some studies have shown that a diet high in lycopene may be linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer, but other studies have not. It has not been proven that taking lycopene supplements decreases the risk of prostate cancer.
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Whats The Best Way To Start The Conversation With Your Family
Some families may be easier to talk to and have more information more easily accessible than others. Here are some tips to navigate a range of family dynamics.
Find your âfamily historian.â Research shows many families have one or two people who organize information about family health on behalf of the whole family, said Dr. Michael Hall, chair of the department of clinical genetics at Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple Health. He recommended starting with this person.
Ask beyond your immediate family. The more people you talk to in your family, the more likely it is youâll be able to create an accurate picture of who was diagnosed when, Hall said. While itâs natural to assume the information a parent gives you about extended family is accurate, actually speaking to those members could uncover even more helpful info. He added that research shows women tend to be more up to date on family health information than men.
How Our Research Was Done
All Adventist Health Study participants agree to fill out self-administered food frequency questionnaires reporting the average number of times per week they ate approximately 200 different foods and beverages, and the serving sizes. After tracking the studys male participants, all of whom were cancer-free when they enrolled in the project, we found that 1,226 of them had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 355 of those were aggressive cases.
As we focused on dietary lycopene levels, we found that men who consumed canned and cooked tomatoes five to six times a week had a 28 per cent decreased risk of prostate cancer compared with men who never consumed this food. The effect was still significant even after adjusting for potential confounders including ethnicity, education, obesity, exercise levels, alcohol consumption and others. Interestingly, we found no significant association between prostate cancer and consumption of raw tomatoes, tomato soup, tomato sauce and tomato-based vegetable juice.
While all tomatoes and tomato-based products contain lycopene, other studies have shown that lycopene is absorbed at different rates depending on the product consumed. Lycopene bioavailability is higher when tomatoes have been heated or cooked, and especially if cooked with oil. Processing tomatoes in this way contributes to the separation of the lycopene from the carrier proteins.
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Risk Factors Of Prostate Cancer
In determining a persons likelihood of developing a certain type of cancer, doctors look at that persons risk factors. Risk factors refer to any characteristic that a person may have that increases that persons likelihood of developing a disease.
Risk factors include both environmental factors and genetic factors. An environmental factor, like exposure to cigarette smoking, can be changed to reduce risk. Genetic factors, such as ones family history, are innate and cannot be changed to reduce risk.
60% of prostate cancer cases occur in men who are older than 65. While prostate cancer does occasionally occur in men who are younger than 40, such cases are very rare.
Genetics
Based on research, scientists have concluded that prostate cancer runs in families. If a mans brother or father has prostate cancer, he twice as likely to develop the disease himself.
Body Weight
Obese men may be slightly more likely to develop advanced prostate cancer or die from prostate cancer, according to some studies.
Diet
The consumption of red meat and high-fat dairy products have been linked to slightly higher risks of developing prostate cancer. Generally, this is also true of men who do not eat many fruits and vegetables.
Vasectomy
Vasectomies are surgeries that are used to eliminate a mans ability to impregnate a woman. Research is ongoing, but some studies suggest that undergoing a vasectomy may slightly increase a mans risk of developing prostate cancer.
Purpose Of This Summary
This PDQ cancer information summary for health professionals provides comprehensive, peer-reviewed, evidence-based information about prostate cancer prevention. It is intended as a resource to inform and assist clinicians in the care of their patients. It does not provide formal guidelines or recommendations for making health care decisions.
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Nutrition Tips To Reduce Risk Of Prostate Cancer
With prostate cancer being the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, prioritizing prostate health is crucial to men’s well-being and longevity. One of the best ways to actively prevent cancer is to eat disease-fighting foods, according to Andrew Woodward, MS, RD, CSO, an oncology nutritionist at Loma Linda University Cancer Center.
He imparts top nutrition tips for men to lower their risk of developing prostate cancer a vital initiative if they belong to a high-risk group for the cancer. This nutrition guide also serves current prostate cancer patients and survivors who want to avoid experiencing prostate cancer again.
Overall, Woodward recommends men stick to a primarily plant-based diet to provide as many phytochemicals as possible. These potent compounds help fight cancer and reduce the risk of its development. Below, Woodward outlines four categories of phytochemicals men can consume to minimize the risk of prostate cancer.
Dairy And Calcium Intake
A meta-analysis of ten cohort studies , concluded that men with the highest intake of dairy products and calcium were more likely to develop prostate cancer than men with the lowest intake. The pooled RRs of advanced prostate cancer were 1.33 for the highest versus lowest intake categories of dairy products and 1.46 for the highest versus lowest intake categories of calcium. High intake of dairy products and calcium may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer although the increase may be small.
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Follow A Healthy Diet
First and foremost, I would recommend general healthy diet guidelines to encourage overall health, recommends Justin R. Gregg, M.D., a urologist at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Some evidence suggests the Mediterranean diet specifically may help protect against prostate cancer, he says. While more research is needed, he says, its still an awesome health choice for other reasons . Want to eat more of a Mediterranean diet? Work on increasing your intake of fruits and veggies, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein like fish, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
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Why Can Stimulating The Prostate Feel So Good
The anus and its surrounding area are packed with nerve endings, Hong explains. Thats precisely why anal play can feel so amazing whether or not you have a prostate. Dr. Hong also notes that the prostate has plenty of blood vessels that swell with increased blood flow. The extra blood helps make the area more sensitive, which can boost pleasure.
Even though the anus is surrounded by nerve endings, its also surrounded by stigma. The human body is amazing in that parts like the vagina and anus have natural functions but can also be sites of intense pleasure. Trying out different sex-related acts is normal, and discovering new ways to experience pleasure is always a good idea.
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What Is The Prostate And Where Is It Located
The prostate is a small but important organ in the male reproductive system. Its about the size of a walnut and produces a thick, milky-white fluid that makes up part of semen. The prostate sits directly below the bladder.
It also partly wraps around the urethra the tube urine passes through on its way out of the bladder and body. The rectum is just behind the prostate, making it possible to feel the gland from the rectum using the finger.
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Increase Your Vitamin D
Most people dont get enough vitamin D. It can help protect against prostate cancer and many other conditions. Vitamin D-rich foods include cod liver oil, wild salmon and dried shitake mushrooms. Since the sun is a better, more readily available source of vitamin D, many experts recommend getting 10 minutes of sun exposure every day. Doctors often recommend vitamin D supplements. However, you should talk to your doctor before taking any vitamin or supplement.
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Dietary Prevention With Fruit Vegetables And A Low
Results from studies of the association between dietary intake of fruits and vegetables and risk of prostate cancer are not consistent. A study evaluated 1,619prostate cancer cases and 1,618 controls in a multicenter, multiethnicpopulation. The study found that intake of legumes and yellow-orange andcruciferous vegetables was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer.
The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition examined the association between fruit and vegetable intake and subsequent prostate cancer. After an average follow-up of 4.8 years, 1,104 men developed prostate cancer among the 130,544 male participants. No statistically significant associations were observed for fruit intake, vegetable intake, cruciferous vegetable intake, or the intake of fruits and vegetables combined.
One study of dietary intervention over a 4-year period with reduced fat and increased consumption of fruit, vegetables, and fiber had no impact on serum PSA levels. It is unknown whether dietary modification through the use of a low-fat, plant-based diet will reduce prostate cancer risk. While this outcome is unknown,multiple additional benefits may be gleaned by such a diet, including a lowerrisk of hyperlipidemia, better control of blood pressure, and a lower risk ofcardiovascular diseaseall of which may merit adoption of such a diet.
The Basics Of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is just like any other type of cancer. It occurs when the body starts to produce abnormal cells that multiply at an alarming and uncontrollable rate. These blood cells damage the body and organ tissues. Prostate cancer is much the same. Over time, the abnormal blood cells can overwhelm the prostate, cause it to swell, and eventually erode at the glands tissue.
Prostate cancer can be fatal. It is estimated that one man dies from cancer every 15 minutes. That is a rate of about 93 deaths caused by prostate cancer every day. It is no wonder every man wants to know how to prevent prostate cancer.
However, prostate cancer can be treated, and some believe that it can be avoided altogether. Prostate cancer isnt always fatal especially when detected early. Thats why its crucial to keep up with prostate exams as you get older.
The only surefire method on how to prevent prostate cancer seems to be to stop aging. And since thats impossible, you have to be extra careful and vigilant. Thats because prostate cancer primarily affects men over the age of 60.
It is recommended that men should have their first prostate exam around the age of 50. However, if you display certain prostate cancer risk factors, you should have your first prostate exam around the age of 40.
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Where Should You Seek Prostate Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment
One in 9 men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. If you or a loved one are diagnosed with prostate cancer, turn to the prostate cancer specialists at . Our specialists offer advanced robotic surgery, known as the Retzius-sparing radical prostatectomy. We are the only team in the region to offer this less-invasive procedure, which approaches the prostate from below the bladder to reduce unwanted side effects. We also offer the most advanced forms of radiation treatment, including proton therapy which will arrive in 2021. The physicians at the University of Kansas Cancer Center are nationally and internationally renowned experts in prostate cancer, and work together as a team to personalize treatment on an individual basis.
Patients who receive treatment at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center are 25% more likely to survive than compared to other centers. We are the only NCI-designated cancer center in the state and 1 of only 71 in the United States. Our patients have access to and . Our personalized care teams include highly trained physicians who provide a supportive experience and expert consultation every step of the way.
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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