http://www.preventprostatecancer.info/index.htmlInformation about prostate cancer prevention and nutrition and health.enfire@thevfd.comCopyright, The Volunteer Fire Department, LLC2008-05-22T15:28:38-06:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Thu, 22 May 2008 15:29:55 -0600fire@thevfd.comArticles2008-05-22T15:28:38-06:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PreventprostatecancercomRssFeed/~3/yoDmp4XWKMI/458cffc96f565c5845eafe0c00a29fb1-13.htmlhttp://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/458cffc96f565c5845eafe0c00a29fb1-13.html#unique-entry-id-13

Life is too important to waste! Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from prostate cancer.

In general, research has shown that Lycopene is protective against prostate cancer in vitro and in animal studies; however, research in humans has produced mixed results. This could be due in part to the different natures of the studies conducted. Some studies focus on the dietary consumption of lycopene via tomatoes and other tomato-based products while others focus on carotenoid supplementation and plasma lycopene levels.

Nevertheless, many studies agree that tomato-based products, such as tomato sauce, are the best bio-available sources of lycopene. This is due to two different variables. First, during processing, tomatoes are exposed to high temperatures which help to release bound lycopene. Second, many tomato-based products are high in oil content. Because lycopene is part of the carotenoid family and is a fat-soluble substance, it is best absorbed when in the presence of fat. Therefore, both of these factors increase the bioavailability of lycopene, and allow it to be more effectively absorbed and utilized.

Since tomato-based products have different compositions, the amount and type of tomato product that is recommended to produce benefits against the risks of prostate cancer vary; especially, when compared with different degrees of cancer development. This was seen in an experiment in which the effects of lycopene supplementation were compared to the effects of tomato-based foods on prostate cancer risk. Although results were not statistically significant, the study showed that several foods had positive affects against prostate cancer; yet each was specific to a different category of prostate cancer development. In another study, evidence showed that greater than two servings of plain tomato sauce a week reduced risks by 32% in males who had a family history of the disease. However, statistics were not significant for advanced and non-advanced cancer patients, or for men who had no family history of prostate cancer.

The consumption of lycopene, from tomato-based products is protective against prostate cancer. Nevertheless further research is required to know exactly how much is needed, what type of tomato-based products provide the greatest benefit, and to which type of cancer, increased consumption will reduce the most.

More information about about the role of nutrition in the prevention of prostate cancer can be found in the manual, Nutritional Prevention of Prostate Cancer available at http://www.PreventProstateCancer.com, including an introduction to different foods and food constituents that have been proven to reduce or increase the risks of prostate cancer, and other information designed to aid men in improving their diets so that they can decrease their risks of developing prostate cancer.]]>http://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/458cffc96f565c5845eafe0c00a29fb1-13.html#unique-entry-id-13fire@thevfd.comArticles2008-05-22T15:24:11-06:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PreventprostatecancercomRssFeed/~3/ScBglanE-AE/5684c1e5c3ef5e26801009e048acf806-12.htmlhttp://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/5684c1e5c3ef5e26801009e048acf806-12.html#unique-entry-id-12

Life is too important to waste! Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from prostate cancer.

Studies done on isoflavones, in vitro, confirm that these bioactive compounds, specifically genistein and daidzein, have protective affects against prostate cancer cell development. Nevertheless, further studies in humans have not proven as definitive. Most studies on soy isoflavones have been done in Chinese and Japanese men, making it very difficult to translate these results to higher risk populations. In these studies, the men have already been consuming diets very high in soy and therefore it is difficult to asses the benefits that may be seen in other populations.29,30 Still, many of these studies agree that consumption of soy isoflavones does decrease the risk of prostate cancer.

In a study done on native Japanese subjects, men who consumed greater than 32.8 mg/day of genistein showed a 29% decrease in risk of prostate cancer compared with men who consumed less than 13.2 mg/day. In the same study decreases in risks occurred with the consumption of different intakes of daidzein and soy based products, however the results were not significant. Other studies that have focused mainly on the effects of soy foods rather than the consumption of specific isoflavones have shown mixed results.

Furthermore, researchers question the effects of soy isoflavones at different stages of cancer. Various results have been seen in both human and animal studies. For that reason, more research is required to identify when soy isoflavone consumption is the most beneficial. Nevertheless, it is clear that the consumption of soy isoflavones in the form of soy-based products can help to reduce the risks of prostate cancer.

More information about about the role of nutrition in the prevention of prostate cancer can be found in the manual, Nutritional Prevention of Prostate Cancer available at http://www.PreventProstateCancer.com, including an introduction to different foods and food constituents that have been proven to reduce or increase the risks of prostate cancer, and other information designed to aid men in improving their diets so that they can decrease their risks of developing prostate cancer.]]>http://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/5684c1e5c3ef5e26801009e048acf806-12.html#unique-entry-id-12fire@thevfd.comArticles2008-05-22T15:22:48-06:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PreventprostatecancercomRssFeed/~3/Rs6qDYvHZew/85580c5a2247cdc1a5c58ab294c65ba2-11.htmlhttp://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/85580c5a2247cdc1a5c58ab294c65ba2-11.html#unique-entry-id-11

Life is too important to waste! Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from prostate cancer.

Research has shown that the consumption of cruciferous vegetables can decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer. In the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, data showed that men who ate greater than five servings of cruciferous vegetables per week, for eight years prior to the study, reduced their risks of developing prostate cancer by 10-20%. Furthermore, the study showed that men younger than 65 years of age, who had been diagnosed with organ-confined prostate cancer (meaning the cancer had not yet spread to other areas outside of the prostate gland) showed greater benefits from consuming cruciferous vegetables than those who were older and diagnosed in the more advanced stages of the disease. This suggests that cruciferous vegetables are more protective against prostate cancer when consumed during the earliest stages of tumor development.

Research has also shown cruciferous vegetables provide a greater benefit when eaten raw rather than cooked. This is because the enzyme responsible for the release of sulforpahane is inactivated when exposed to heat. This suggests that raw cruciferous vegetables provide a greater concentration of sulforaphane than cooked vegetables, and therefore have a greater capacity to fight against the development of prostate cancer.

Finally, out of all of the cruciferous vegetables available, the two that have shown the greatest benefit in preventing prostate cancer are cauliflower and broccoli. Cauliflower and broccoli are particularly high in the pre-cursor to sulforaphane, and thus form the greatest concentrations of the compound when consumed. Other cruciferous vegetables that do not have such high concentrations of sulforaphane, but still provide benefits include:

Arugula
Cabbage
Kale
Rutabagas
Bok choy
Chard
Mustard Greens
Turnips
Brussels sprouts
Collard Greens
Radishes
Watercress

More information about about the role of nutrition in the prevention of prostate cancer can be found in the manual, Nutritional Prevention of Prostate Cancer available at http://www.PreventProstateCancer.com, including an introduction to different foods and food constituents that have been proven to reduce or increase the risks of prostate cancer, and other information designed to aid men in improving their diets so that they can decrease their risks of developing prostate cancer.]]>http://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/85580c5a2247cdc1a5c58ab294c65ba2-11.html#unique-entry-id-11fire@thevfd.comArticles2008-05-22T15:09:54-06:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PreventprostatecancercomRssFeed/~3/Pn9ITec-iI8/07c7493800f04374fa0390af7f882cd3-6.htmlhttp://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/07c7493800f04374fa0390af7f882cd3-6.html#unique-entry-id-6

Life is too important to waste! Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from prostate cancer.

Unfortunately, little can be done to decrease the risks related to age, race, or genetics; nevertheless, much can be done in relation to diet and lifestyle. In 2004, 65% of adults and 17% of children in the United States were classified as overweight or obese, making the U.S. the fattest country in the world. This is because Americans live mostly sedentary lives, and eat a diet high in processed foods. While the United States is the fattest of all countries in the world, we also have the highest incidence of prostate cancer. Many researchers believe that this is due in part to our deteriorating diets. While obesity has never been linked with increased risk of prostate cancer, it is evident that obesity slows down the bodyís ability to heal and ward off disease.

Improving the lifestyle and diets of Americans will by no means eliminate the risk of prostate cancer; however it can reduce the risks. Diets high in whole foods (meaning foods that have undergone very little processing), such as fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. All of these substances help the body to function properly, promote the growth of healthy cells, and prevent the development of cancer and disease.

More information about about the role of nutrition in the prevention of prostate cancer can be found in the manual, Nutritional Prevention of Prostate Cancer available at http://www.PreventProstateCancer.com, including an introduction to different foods and food constituents that have been proven to reduce or increase the risks of prostate cancer, and other information designed to aid men in improving their diets so that they can decrease their risks of developing prostate cancer.]]>http://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/07c7493800f04374fa0390af7f882cd3-6.html#unique-entry-id-6fire@thevfd.comArticles2008-05-22T15:07:42-06:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PreventprostatecancercomRssFeed/~3/oaRsXVGNo1E/d85ea643c153182b66ce7bd428a9b9f4-5.htmlhttp://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/d85ea643c153182b66ce7bd428a9b9f4-5.html#unique-entry-id-5

Life is too important to waste! Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from prostate cancer.

Well, researchers have found little to no association between total fat, saturated fat, trans-fats, and monounsaturated fats with increased risks of prostate cancer. However, many studies show a relationship between prostate cancer and the consumption of some polyunsaturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats include the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Studies have shown that high levels of ALA consumption, in the form of red meats and dairy products, is associated with increased risks of prostate cancer, while consumption of DHA and EPA from fatty ocean fish is associated with decreased risk of prostate cancer. In fact, one study in particular showed that eating 3 servings of fatty fish per week resulted in a significant decrease in risk. However consumption of greater than 3 servings per week showed light increases in risk, especially in patients whose cancer had metastasized to other areas of the body.

Research has shown that it is the consumption of cold water fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines that provide the protection against prostate cancer. Studies evaluating the effects of supplementation of DHA and EPA in the form of fish oils have no association with decreased risks. It is commonly believed that fish rather than fish oils contain other preventative compounds such as vitamin D and retinol (Vitamin A) that aid in the prevention of cancer.

With all of that said, it is important to note that ALA is an essential fatty acid and therefore should not be completely eliminated from the diet. Essential fats like ALA and LA are vital to the body, and must be obtained through the diet because the human body is incapable of making them out of other substances. Therefore you should not eliminate all sources of ALA from your diet.

Lastly, in most studies, risks of prostate cancer were only associated with animal sources of ALA, while other studies showed an association with both non-animal (vegetable oils) and animal sources (red meat and dairy). Despite this discrepancy in results, it is clear that diets high in red meat and dairy products contain high levels of ALA; they are the primary risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, replacing red meat with fatty fish a couple of times a week is a good way to reduce your risks of prostate cancer.

More information about about the role of nutrition in the prevention of prostate cancer can be found in the manual, Nutritional Prevention of Prostate Cancer available at http://www.PreventProstateCancer.com, including an introduction to different foods and food constituents that have been proven to reduce or increase the risks of prostate cancer, and other information designed to aid men in improving their diets so that they can decrease their risks of developing prostate cancer.]]>http://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/d85ea643c153182b66ce7bd428a9b9f4-5.html#unique-entry-id-5fire@thevfd.comArticles2008-05-22T15:04:11-06:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PreventprostatecancercomRssFeed/~3/h7vXPn-5lhI/f28dc3a10017430745ddf438f70a2627-4.htmlhttp://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/f28dc3a10017430745ddf438f70a2627-4.html#unique-entry-id-4

Life is too important to waste! Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from prostate cancer.

For the most part, research on HCAs have focused on the affects of four different factors: type of meat, cooking method, temperature, and time. Overall, there does not seem to be a correlation between meat type and cooking method with increased risk of prostate cancer. However, there does seem to be a strong association with meats that have been cooked at higher temperatures and for longer cooking times. In one study, consumption of greater than 10 grams per day of very well-done meat increased risk of prostate cancer by 42%. Another study focusing on the consumption of well-done meat showed a 22% increased risk of all prostate cancer, and a 97% increased risk of advanced prostate cancer.

Elevated risks were especially seen in grilled meats which contain high levels of PhIP. PhIP is the most carcinogenic (cancer promoting) of all HCAs, and is formed when exposed directly to open flames (i.e. grilling). High PhIP intake alone has been shown to increase risk of prostate cancer by 22%. Also, evidence shows that consumption of high levels of PhIP cause increases in carcinogenic compounds in both healthy and cancerous tissue.

From this research, it can be concluded that higher consumption of well-done and very well-done meats can increase the risks of prostate cancer. Regular consumption of grilled meats, in particular, poses the greatest risk. Therefore it is wise to reduce the amount of grilled meats consumed in the diet.

More information about about the role of nutrition in the prevention of prostate cancer can be found in the manual, Nutritional Prevention of Prostate Cancer available at http://www.PreventProstateCancer.com, including an introduction to different foods and food constituents that have been proven to reduce or increase the risks of prostate cancer, and other information designed to aid men in improving their diets so that they can decrease their risks of developing prostate cancer.]]>http://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/f28dc3a10017430745ddf438f70a2627-4.html#unique-entry-id-4fire@thevfd.comArticles2008-05-22T14:18:09-06:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PreventprostatecancercomRssFeed/~3/-OfYCXjCi7k/63015539eeb78fa3b2ce956bdec3d68c-0.htmlhttp://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/63015539eeb78fa3b2ce956bdec3d68c-0.html#unique-entry-id-0

Life is too important to waste! Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from prostate cancer.

Signs/Symptoms
When the prostate becomes enlarged it presses down on the urethra and causes urinary dysfunction. Depending on the degree of enlargement, men may experience any of the following symptoms:

Screening/Diagnosis
Screening and diagnostic procedures for BPH are similar to those used for Prostate Cancer.

• Weak urinary stream
• Prolonged emptying of the bladder
• Abdominal straining
• Hesitancy
• Irregular need to urinate
• incomplete bladder emptying
• Post-urination dribble
• Irritation during urination
• Frequent urination
• Nocturia– need to urinate during the night
• Urgency
• Incontinence-involuntary leakage of urine.
• Bladder pain
• Dysuria– painful urination

Treatment
As mentioned previously, BPH cannot be reversed, however there are medications available that help to relax the muscles of the bladder and prostate to ease urination. If medication treatments fail, more invasive procedures, such as transurethral resection, are used to relieve symptoms. Transurethral resection is the most common surgical procedure used to treat BPH and involves removal of part of the prostate through the urethra. This reduces the pressure on the urethra and normalizes urination. More recent technologies have been developed which use lasers and microwave thermotherapy (see p. 20). to vaporize or remove excess prostatic tissue, which accomplishes the same result as transurethral resection. ]]>http://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/63015539eeb78fa3b2ce956bdec3d68c-0.html#unique-entry-id-0fire@thevfd.comArticles2008-05-22T14:18:06-06:00http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PreventprostatecancercomRssFeed/~3/OtQmJ7GsFkg/5e098219e5c93597247a2f997a4c677f-1.htmlhttp://www.preventprostatecancer.info/Articles/files/5e098219e5c93597247a2f997a4c677f-1.html#unique-entry-id-1

Life is too important to waste! Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from prostate cancer.

Signs/Symptoms
Men often do not know that they have prostate cancer until the later stages of the disease, unless they go in for regular screenings. This is because prostate cancer, in the early stages, is asymptomatic (does not show symptoms). The first manifestations of the disease are often related to bladder obstruction, and are similar to the signs and symptoms seen in patients with BPH (see p. 18). Rectal obstruction can also occur, which causes problems with defecating during a bowel movement.

Later Stages of the disease often produce a wider variety of symptoms because at this point the cancer has often metastasized (spread) to another area of the body such as the bones or lymph nodes. Signs and symptoms of the later stages of prostate cancer include:

Screening/Diagnosis
Screening and diagnosis is the same for both BPH and prostate cancer. Procedures include the following:

• Digital rectal examination (DRE): palpitation of the prostate gland via the anal canal may detect enlargement
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests: elevated levels of PSA in the blood may be an indication of cancer
• bone pain
• edema (swelling) of the lower extremities
• enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area, under the arms, or in the throat liver enlargement
• bone fractures
• mental confusion (seen in severe cases in which the cancer has spread to the brain)
• Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS): ultrasound examination of the testicles, prostate, and kidneys may rule out other disease or confirm BPH or cancer.

Treatment
Treatment of prostate cancer varies depending on the stage of cancer, the effects of treatment, age, general health, and life expectancy of the individual. Men who are diagnosed and treated in the early stages of Prostate cancer have a 90% chance of being completely cured of the disease.41 Although complete recovery is not as likely during the later stages of cancer, treatment can extend life expectancy, reduce tumor size, and reduce pain. Treatment options include both surgical and non-surgical procedures.

Surgical treatments

• Prostatectomy– the partial or complete removal of the prostate gland.
• Transurethral resection
• Cryotherapy– procedure in which the prostate gland is exposed to freezing temperatures. During the procedure, needles are inserted into the prostate gland through the area between the scrotum and anus. Once the needles are in place the needles produce freezing temperatures which destroy the prostate and all surrounding cancerous tissue. Note: Surgical treatment of prostate cancer can often result in a temporary loss of urinary control and/or sexual dysfunction. Medications can be prescribed by your doctor to help reduce these side effects.

Non-surgical treatments

• Radiation therapy– medical use of ionizing radiation to destroy the DNA of cancerous cells. Radiation is used to destroy or control the multiplication of malignant cells. Radiation is applied to the site of cancer (tumor, lymph nodes, etc.) and its surrounding tissue. This treatment is often used in conjunction with Hormone or Chemotherapy.
• Hormone therapy– Hormone therapy involves the administration of specific hormones, such as steroids, or drugs which inhibit the production or activity of other hormones involved in the development of the cancer. The agents used in hormone therapy are designed to alter gene expression of the cancerous cells, causing cell activity to cease, or by promoting cell death.
• Chemotherapy- Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals and antibiotics to kill cancer cells. Cancer is caused by the uncontrollable division of cells. The chemicals used during chemotherapy are designed to target rapidly-dividing cells, thus targeting the cancer cells and not other healthy cells of the body.
• Immunotherapy- Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment that stimulates the body's own immune-system to kill off tumors.

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