Since the 1990s and the concerted campaign to screen for prostate cancer, there has been a forty percent reduction in the number of men who die from this disease. However, with almost 35,000 fatalities annually, it is still the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
Unfortunately, there is no known way to prevent prostate problems. However, that does not mean that men are doomed to face an uncertain future; recent studies have pointed to several steps that can be taken to lessen the chances of contracting either BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate cancer and to maintain a healthy prostate.
There may be a genetic link to prostate problems.
The first and most important step to take in maintaining a healthy prostate is to visit your doctor and discuss both your medical and family health history. Men with family members who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer have an increased likelihood of contracting the disease than those who do not. In addition, the most recent research suggests that there may be a genetic cause of prostate cancer. Armed with this information, a doctor can develop a screening and detection regimen that could spot prostate cancer in its earliest stages, when it is easiest to cure.
There is no magic bullet to replace diet and exercise.
Diet and exercise are still recognized as the two best methods for maintaining a healthy prostate. However, the views on what to eat have also expanded to include a list of foods that could increase the incidence of prostate cancer. A diet centered on fruits, vegetables, and oil-rich fish is the healthiest combination. Avoid, or significantly reduce, consumption of red meats, processed foods, sugars, dairy products, and saturated fats. There is still some debate regarding alcohol consumption, but moderation is highly recommended for those who drink.
Regarding what to eat, those vegetables with a high lycopene content are among the most recommended. These include:
- tomatoes (especially cooked or sun-dried)
- red cabbage
- watermelon
- red peppers (sweet, cooked)
- grapefruit
- watermelon
Also, isoflavones such as soybeans and soybean products (edamame, tofu, miso, etc.) have been shown to be highly effective in preventing prostate cancer.
Throw in a healthy helping of cruciferous vegetables, and you are in good shape:
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
Pomegranate juice and flaxseed products may also be beneficial.
As an added benefit, all of these foods form the foundation of a diet that is heart healthy and can help reduce and control weight.
Speaking of weight, losing pounds and inches can also help maintain a healthy prostate. Regular exercise, especially as you age, for at least thirty minutes every other day will help in all areas. Walking, tennis, golf, swimming, bicycling, and other aerobic activities are excellent options.
There are mixed reviews regarding the effectiveness of vitamins and supplements such as Vitamin E and Selenium, and nothing conclusive has been uncovered. However, it is known that excessive consumption of supplements can cause other health problems, so these should only be taken with a doctor’s supervision.
New Medications in Prostate Health
Recently, several promising medical treatments and prostate medications have emerged that help control prostate conditions and prostate cancer (though, again, there is no cure). Among them is immunotherapy, which employs vaccines such as the FDA-approved sipuleucel-T (brand name Provenge) and other prostate vaccines, which is showing great promise with an added benefit of limited side effects.
Finally, angiogenesis inhibitors that prevent or inhibit the growth of blood vessels that feed cancer cells are being studied. To date, positive results are being returned in clinical trials when certain of these prostate medications, like thalidomide, are combined with hormone therapy to shrink and stop the growth of cancer cells.
One Final Note
Several recent studies have found that sexually active men have a decreased rate of the incidence of prostate problems. One study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that men who ejaculated more than twenty times a month had a lower incidence of prostate problems than those who did so less frequently.
Maintaining a healthy prostate involves basic personal health care: visit your doctor for screening, watch what you eat, exercise regularly, and remain sexually active. Not a bad formula.
Taking steps to protect your prostate health can help ensure that you don’t have prostate issues later in life. For those that do experience prostate conditions, there are prostate medications available for managing and treating them. For more information about prostate health and to learn more about available prostate medications, visit our Bladder and Prostate Conditions Page.
