Prostate cancer is the most commonly
diagnosed non-skin cancer in the United States. One in six
American men will develop prostate cancer in the course of
his lifetime. A little-known fact is that a man is 33% more
likely to develop prostate cancer than an American woman is
to get breast cancer.
These and other sobering facts are the driving forces of the
Prostate Cancer Foundation, whose mission is to support
research into better treatments and a cure for recurrent
prostate cancer. The PCF is the world's largest source of
philanthropic support for prostate cancer research. The PCF
has raised more than $230 million to fund over 1,200
research projects, all with the goal of finding better
treatments and a cure as soon as possible.
Prostate Cancer And You
Every
man diagnosed with prostate cancer begins a deeply personal
journey for himself and his loved ones in determining the
appropriate therapy for the disease. Receiving a diagnosis
of cancer is always very difficult. Prostate cancer is
particularly complicated due to the variety of treatment
options and the lack of knowledge, in certain cases, as to
the most appropriate treatment. However, learning more about
the disease, understanding the treatment options and their
risks and benefits, and discovering the diet and lifestyle
changes that may improve the prognosis all can help empower
patients. It lets them participate more actively in their
care and helps in making informed choices about treatment
options.
prostate cancer that anyone concerned about or diagnosed
with prostate cancer should know. It is impossible, however,
to present all the information that might be relevant to a
particular diagnosis.
No single cause of
prostate cancer has been identified. There are likely a
variety of causes and contributing factors that lead to
prostate cancer. The major known risk factors for prostate
cancer are age, race and family history. Although there are
no conclusive data, diet and other environmental factors may
play a role as well.
Age
Age is the single
most important factor in the development of prostate
cancer. It is extremely rare for a man under the age of 40
to develop detectable prostate cancer. However, early
growth of precancerous or cancerous cells in the prostate
may actually begin before that time. Detectable prostate
cancer takes time to develop. The chance of having
prostate cancer increases rapidly after age 50. In fact,
about 80% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over
the age of 65. A man in his mid-to-late seventies is 130
times more likely to develop prostate cancer than a man in
his mid-to-late forties. It is still unclear why prostate
cancer rates increase with age; however, the genetic
mutations that have been linked to development of cancer
occur gradually over time.
Family History
Approximately 25% of men with prostate cancer have a history
of the disease within their family. However, it is believed
that only 9% of all prostate cancers are purely
hereditary. The picture may be more complex for those
patients with a family history since family members
typically share other risk factors, including race, diet and
other environmental factors. The risk of prostate cancer
doubles among men having a first-degree relative with the
disease. With two close relatives, a man's risk increases
fivefold, and with three or more close relatives, the risk
for developing prostate cancer is alarmingly high – close to
100%.
Diet, Obesity & Nutrition
Diet
and weight may play a role in the development of prostate
cancer. High intake of animal fats, such as those found in
red meat, and polyunsaturated fats (corn oil, safflower oil,
margarine, etc.) may be associated with higher rates of
prostate cancer; however, it is unclear exactly how dietary
fat might relate to increased risk.
Nutrition
Nutrition may play an
important role in the prevention of prostate cancer.
Fruits and vegetables, especially cooked tomatoes, contain
key sources of cancer-fighting agents, such as lycopene,
antioxidants and fiber
Circulating Male Hormone Level
Lifetime risk of prostate cancer may be linked to the amount
of the male hormone testosterone circulating in a man's body
as early as puberty or even in utero, although direct
evidence of this link remains to be shown. Prostate cancer
cell growth may be fueled by the presence of
testosterone. Therefore, one of the most common treatments
for prostate cancer, especially if it returns after
first-line treatment, is the complete suppression of
testosterone production and action in the body. |
