Dr Tariq Jagnarine
Fam Medicine, Endocrinology/ Diabetes
There is not one way to prevent prostate cancer. However, several natural methods may help, such as maintaining a moderate weight and eating a balanced diet. After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the type most common among men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For the majority, prostate cancer is not fatal. The American Cancer Society estimates that males with prostate cancer have a five-year survival rate of 99 per cent. Prostate cancer can still carry serious consequences for quality of life and may be life-threatening.
Adding soy products to the diet may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. It is not possible to prevent prostate cancer, but it is possible to reduce a person’s risk. Most natural methods of reducing this risk are safe if a person follows a doctor’s instructions and has no allergic response. Incorporate these methods into a broader care plan and speak with a doctor beforehand.
The best way to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer is to make positive changes involving diet and exercise, according to the American Cancer Society. If a person tries to reduce their risk in other ways, these are less likely to be effective without a healthy diet and exercise programme.
• Risk factors
People aged 65 years of age or older account for many cases of prostate cancer.
Risk factors for prostate cancer include:
• Age. Approximately 60 per cent of all prostate cancer diagnoses occur in males aged 65 or older.
• Genetics. The highest rates of prostate cancer in the US occur in African American men, followed by men who are Caucasian, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander, respectively.
• Diet. A diet rich in fat and low in fruits and vegetables increases the risk of prostate cancer.
• Environment. Exposure to some industrial chemicals also increases this risk.
• Family history. If a father or brother has had prostate cancer, a person has more than twice the risk of developing it.
Natural ways to lower risk
Researchers continue to investigate the potential for medications and natural remedies to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The following drugs may be effective: finasteride (Proscar), dutasteride (Avodart), aspirin
However, no study to date definitively demonstrates that any drug can eliminate the risk. In recent years, rigorous biomedical research has tested the effectiveness of natural remedies. For example, results of laboratory studies have suggested that saw palmetto has beneficial properties. However, it is not an effective treatment for prostate cancer. Below are some natural remedies that are commonly used to lower the risk of prostate cancer.
• Soy products
Isoflavones are a chemical compound with anti-inflammatory properties. The foods with the highest concentrations of isoflavones are soybean products, including:
• Tofu
• Soy milk
Other foods that contain isoflavones include:
• Chickpeas
• Beans
• Alfalfa
A 2016 study concluded that isoflavones could benefit health in several ways, including helping to protect against prostate cancer. The medical community currently holds that while isoflavones cannot treat or prevent the disease, they can play a protective role.
• Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are present in fish and other types of seafood. Additional sources include walnuts, flax seeds, soybeans
There is some evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce prostate cancer risk. However, many experts no longer believe that the acids have significant cancer-fighting properties.
• Tomatoes
Studies suggest that tomato consumption may lead to a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Processed tomatoes, including all cooked and canned varieties, contain a compound called lycopene. Some studies suggest that this compound may reduce the risk of cancers, especially those of the prostate, lung, and stomach. A review from 2016 found that increased tomato consumption resulted in a reduced risk of prostate cancer, though the authors note that more research is needed.
• Grapefruit, watermelon, and apricots also contain lycopene.
• Coffee
In 2016, researchers published a review of 105 studies that considered the effects of coffee on cancer risk. They concluded that coffee and its antioxidant capabilities may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer and some other types of disease.
What to avoid
Some compounds in foods may increase a person’s risk of developing prostate cancer. Consider avoiding the following:
• 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.
• Vegetable oils
A diet excessively high in fat can increase the risk of many types of cancer, and the omega-6 fatty acids in vegetable oils may promote the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Oils derived from corn, sunflowers, safflowers, cottonseed, and soybeans, for example, can contain substantial amounts of omega-6 fatty acids.
• Grilled or fried meats
The National Cancer Institute in the United States advises against eating meats cooked at high temperatures, typically by grilling or frying. When a person cooks muscle meat, including beef, pork, and poultry, at high temperatures, the meat may form chemicals that cause changes in DNA, resulting in an increased risk of cancer.
• Sugar and carbohydrates
The glycemic load and glycemic index measurements show how quickly carbohydrates and sugars affect a person’s blood sugar and insulin. Some studies have suggested that a diet with a high glycemic load may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reports that while the relationship between sugar and cancer remains complex, sugar may have the highest impact on the risk of prostate, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers.
Get regular testing
A lifestyle that includes exercise and a healthful diet can help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, attending regular checkups and screenings is still the best way to handle this risk. Speak with a doctor before trying natural or alternative ways to prevent cancer.
While it is not possible to prevent prostate cancer, some lifestyle changes and natural compounds may reduce a person’s risk. Anyone concerned about their prostate cancer risk should attend regular checkups and screenings.
