Reducing your risk
of prostate cancer
begins with the
big picture, those
well-publicized
major lifestyle
changes that are
widely recommended
but often
difficult to
accomplish. Then
there are the
smaller details:
cancer-protective
foods,
supplements, and
medications. A
serious prostate
cancer
risk-reduction
program
encompasses both
approaches.
Achieving a
healthy weight,
committing to
regular
exercise, and
altering
long-ingrained
dietary habits
are the most
important steps
you can take to
protect yourself
from prostate
cancer. And
their payoff
goes far beyond
the prostate.
These lifestyle
changes could
reduce your risk
of nearly all
the most
devastating
diseases: heart
disease, stroke,
diabetes,
Alzheimer’s
disease, and
many other forms
of cancer.
What’s more,
they work
together to
improve your
health. Here are
some strategies
to consider:
Weight
management
The links
between obesity
and prostate
cancer continue
to strengthen.
Fat cells churn
out a slew of
substances that
fuel the
development and
progression of
cancer. These
include
estrogen,
testosterone,
and insulin-like
growth factor.
Men who are
obese also are
more likely to
be diagnosed
with advanced
prostate cancer.
The possible
reasons are that
obese men tend
to have larger
prostates
(making tumor
detection more
difficult), and
their prostate
specific antigen
(PSA) scores are
often
deceptively low.
Regular exercise
Vigorous
physical
activity appears
to protect
against prostate
cancer. Men who
exercise
regularly are
less likely to
be diagnosed
with advanced or
fatal prostate
cancer. Some
evidence
suggests that
vigorous
physical
activity may
also slow its
progression.
Dietary changes.
Adopting a
plant-based diet
can reduce your
risk of prostate
cancer and
improve your
overall health.
This dietary
approach focuses
on fruits,
vegetables,
legumes (like
beans and peas),
whole grains,
seeds, and nuts.
Soy foods (like
soy nuts and
tofu) also
appear to be
protective. Aim
for at least
nine fruits and
vegetables a
day.
To get all the
cancer-fighting
nutrients you
need, try to
include a
“rainbow” of
fruits and
vegetables each
day -- reds,
oranges,
yellows, greens,
and
blues/purples.
Brightly colored
fruits and
vegetables are
rich in
carotenoids,
cancer-fighting
substances that
serve as
coloring agents
in plant foods.
Also be sure to
include at least
one serving per
day of a
cruciferous
vegetable (like
broccoli,
cabbage, or
cauliflower).
These vegetables
contain other
types of
cancer-fighting
chemicals.
Specific Foods,
Supplements, and
Medications
Ongoing research
into prostate
cancer
prevention has
identified a
number of
individual
substances that
may be
protective:
Lycopene
-The carotenoid
lycopene is found
in tomatoes, pink
grapefruit, and
watermelon. Cooked
tomato products
such as spaghetti
sauce and ketchup
are the richest
source.
Pomegranates
-
Pomegranates and
pomegranate juice
have recently been
found to cause
prostate cancer
cells to self
destruct. Among
men with prostate
cancer, daily
glasses of
pomegranate juice
have slowed the
increase in PSA
levels after
treatment.
Omega-3 fatty
acids
-
Omega- 3 fatty
acids are a type
of polyunsaturated
fat found
abundantly in
fatty fish (like
salmon, sardines,
tuna, and halibut)
and fish oil.
Flaxseeds,
walnuts, and
canola oil contain
a weaker, but
still beneficial,
plant-based form
of these healthful
fats. Omega-3s
have
anti-inflammatory
and anticancer
effects. Several
studies have
suggested that men
who eat fish two
or more times per
week have a lower
risk of developing
prostate cancer.
Selenium and
vitamin E
-
These two
nutrients are
being tested for
their potential
protective effects
in SELECT
(Selenium and
Vitamin E Cancer
Prevention Trial)
-- the largest
clinical study
ever launched
about prostate
cancer prevention,
coordinated by the
U.S. National
Cancer Institute.
Several smaller
studies have shown
benefits, but
until the SELECT
results are in,
doctors recommend
against taking
large amounts of
either nutrient. A
multivitamin that
includes both is
the best bet for
now.
Vitamin D
-
Vitamin D plays an
important role in
regulating cell
growth and has
been associated
with a reduced
risk of prostate
cancer. The
dietary sources of
vitamin D include
fortified milk and
fatty fish. The
way to boost your
body's natural
productin of
vitamin D is to
spend about 15
minutes a day
(without
sunscreen) in the
sun.
Statins
-
Prostate cancer
researchers are
discovering the
important role
inflammation plays
in the development
of prostate
cancer. High
cholesterol levels
also may increase
the risk. The
cholesterol-lowering
medications known
as statins tackle
both problems. In
a study that Johns
Hopkins
researchers
participated in,
men who took
statins had half
the risk of
developing
prostate cancer
compared with
nonusers.
NSAIDs
-
Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs)
also reduce
inflammation and
appear to lower
the risk of
prostate cancer.
These medications
target a protein
called COX-2,
which is believed
to help prostate
cancer cells
spread.
