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Prostate Cancer Prevention!
Prostate cancer prevention is cheap and easy. Whereas testing for prostate cancer with conventional methods such as prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing and prostate biopsies can result in false positives and/or side effects.
At the age of 64, I am entering the largest group of PCa diagnoses.
So what is the average man to do for prostate cancer prevention?
What are some non-conventional treatments to reduce the risk of prostate cancer?
1. Dietary Supplements and Herbal Remedies
- Saw Palmetto: Traditionally used to support prostate health, though evidence regarding its effectiveness in cancer prevention is limited.
- Lycopene: Found in tomatoes and other red fruits, lycopene has been studied for its potential antioxidant properties that might reduce prostate cancer risk.
- Green Tea: Contains polyphenols and catechins, which have shown some potential in reducing the risk of prostate cancer in laboratory studies.
- Pomegranate Extract: Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, and some studies suggest that they might slow the progression of prostate cancer.
2. Mind-Body Practices
- Meditation and Stress Reduction: Chronic stress can negatively affect overall health, including prostate health. Practices like mindfulness meditation, yoga, and tai chi may help manage stress and improve overall well-being.
- Acupuncture: Used in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture might help in managing symptoms or side effects related to prostate issues, though evidence on its direct effect on cancer prevention is limited.
3. Lifestyle Adjustments
- Intermittent Fasting: Some research suggests that intermittent fasting might reduce cancer risk by lowering insulin levels and reducing inflammation, though more research is needed specifically on prostate cancer.
- Avoiding Environmental Toxins: Reducing exposure to certain environmental toxins, like pesticides and chemicals found in plastics (e.g., BPA), might help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
4. Probiotic and Gut Health Focus
- Probiotics: Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome may support immune function and reduce inflammation, which could be beneficial in lowering cancer risk.
- Fiber-Rich Diet: A diet high in fiber supports gut health and may help reduce the risk of various cancers, including prostate cancer.
5. Vitamin D and Sunlight Exposure
- Vitamin D: Adequate levels of vitamin D have been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Controlled sunlight exposure and supplementation might be beneficial, though it’s essential to balance this with the risk of skin cancer.
6. Hyperthermia
- Localized Hyperthermia: A treatment involving the application of heat to specific parts of the body, hyperthermia is sometimes used alongside traditional treatments to improve outcomes. Its role in preventing prostate cancer is still under investigation.
7. Mindful Eating and Weight Management
- Anti-inflammatory Diets: Diets rich in anti-inflammatory foods, like fatty fish, leafy greens, and nuts, might help reduce cancer risk by lowering systemic inflammation.
- Caloric Restriction: Studies suggest that reducing calorie intake without malnutrition may lower the risk of various cancers.
8. Alternative Therapies
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Some TCM practices, including the use of specific herbs and dietary changes, are believed by practitioners to support prostate health. However, scientific evidence is still emerging.
man hand holding his nutritional supplemets, healthy lifestyle background.
As the list above explains, there are a host of evidence-based non-conventional therapies for prostate cancer prevention.
Green tea extract, curcumin, and vitamin D, are some of the nutritional supplements that reduce the risk of not only prostate cancer but a number of other chronic diseases.
If you would like to learn more about prostate cancer prevention email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancr@gmail.com
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Prostate Cancer Statistics
“Prostate cancer is an enormous public health burden: In 2024, almost 300,000 men in the United States (US) will be diagnosed with this disease, and slightly more than 35,000 will die from it.1…
An estimated 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the US in 2024, which will account for 14.9% of all new cancer cases.1,3 Based on age-adjusted cases from 2017 to 2021, the rate of new cases of prostate cancer is 116.5 per 100,000 men per year.1
There was a sharp decline in overall incidence of prostate cancer from 2007 to 2014, which correlated with a reduction in prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening as a result of changes to US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. However, since 2014, the incidence rate of prostate cancer has risen by 3% per year, mainly driven by 4% to 5% per year increases in regional stage and distant stage diagnoses.3,4…
The incidence of prostate cancer increases with advancing age.6 Prostate cancer is most frequently diagnosed among men age 65 to 74 years, and the median age at diagnosis is 67 years.1 This is correlated with age-specific increases in serum PSA levels and prostate size.6 Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than age 40 years.2 In the US, the percentage of new cases by age at diagnosis is as follows1:
- 0.3% in men age 35 to 44 years;
- 6.4% in men age 45 to 54 years;
- 30.3% in men age 55 to 64 years;
- 42.4% in men age 65 to 74 years;
- 16.8% in men age 75 to 84 years; and
- 3.8% in men age 85 years and older…
Prostate Cancer Mortality and Survival Rates
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men.2 Approximately 1 in 41 US men will die from prostate cancer.2 In 2024, an estimated 35,250 men will die from prostate cancer.1
In general, prostate cancer has high survival rates. Based on data from 2014 to 2020, the overall 5-year survival rate is 97.5%.1 However, mortality rates are higher in men who are Black, those who are older, and those who have advanced-stage disease.1 For most men (83%) diagnosed with localized- or regional-stage prostate cancer, the 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 100%.1 But it declines to 36.6% for those diagnosed with distant-stage disease.1…
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Established risk factors for prostate cancer include the following7:
- Advanced age (older than 50 years);
- Black/African ancestry;
- Family history of prostate cancer; and
Inherited genetic conditions, such as Lynch syndrome and BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations.
Smoking and obesity may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, but the evidence is mixed.4…
Challenges in Prostate Cancer Screening
Screening for prostate cancer is conducted with a PSA test. Although PSA screening can result in early detection of prostate cancer, it also has potential harms (false positive results, overdiagnosis, and overtreatment).8 According to the US Preventative Service Task Force, for men age 55 to 69 years, the decision to undergo PSA screening for prostate cancer should be based on patient preference and made in consultation with a clinician.8
Due to concerns about overdiagnosis, no major medical organizations recommend routine prostate cancer for men at average risk of prostate cancer, but most endorse shared decision-making to educate men about the pros and cons of PSA screening.4…”
Outside the Guidelines: Prostate Cancer Screening Overused in Older Men
“A relatively high percentage of men in their 70s and 80s, as well those determined to have a limited life expectancy, report receiving prostate cancer screening, despite recommendations against screening for men in those age groups.
In its most recent guidance, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) revised a previous 2012 recommendation against routine screening for prostate cancer to instead endorse individual decision-making for men aged 55 to 69 years (grade C).
In the update guidance, which was published in 2018, the task force still recommended against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer in men 70 years and older (grade D) due to a range of potential risks and harms.