Prostate cancer is now the most common form of cancer to be found solely in men, with as many as 25,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Dale Lovell explains more about the disease and possible ways men can lessen their chances of developing it.

While scientists have yet to pin-point exactly what causes prostate cancer and what men can do to lessen the risks of developing the disease, diet, as ever, is undoubtedly a key factor, but so too are genetics, and even lifestyle choices such as the number of sexual partners a man has throughout his life. Below we offer the low-down on what you need to know about prostate cancer.

What is the prostate?

The prostate gland is roughly the size of a plum or walnut and is only found in men. It is located between the pubic bone and the rectum. The urethra passes through the prostate and tubes from the reproductive system meet with the urethra in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a key mechanism in a man’s reproductive system and squeezes suddenly during orgasm to force semen down the urethra.

At middle age the prostate gland begins to grow in size. Prostate cancer is most common in men over the age of 50 with 95% of cases occurring in men over the age of 60. Most men over 50 will suffer from an enlarged prostate at some point. On its own this is nothing to be too worried about as this only means that there is an increased growth of tissue in the prostate gland, not cancer itself. Doctors refer to this as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH and these are not cancerous.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Men who develop prostate cancer can have no symptoms at all, or several. Symptoms that are cause for concern include frequent trips to the toilet, the urgent need to urinate, a poor stream when urinating and not being able to start urinating despite feeling the urge to and, although rare, blood in the urine. If you or your partner experience any of these symptoms it is advisable to consult your GP immediately.

Testing

The most common way of testing to see if you have prostate cancer is via the PSA test. PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen and is a protein only produced by the prostate gland. Most men have some of this PSA in their blood. By measuring how much PSA is in a man’s blood, doctors can ascertain how large the prostate gland is, as generally the larger the PSA reading, the larger the prostate.

However, it is worth noting that the PSA test looks at the state of the prostate, not specifically for prostate cancer, and other things such as an infection, or when a man ejaculated last (24 hours before a test can affect the results), and even riding a bike, can all affect the PSA reading. The PSA test is a good indicator of your prostate’s health, but if your reading is high it does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer.

Diet

A staggering five times more men die of prostate cancer in the United States than they do in Japan, with similar levels for the UK. The main reason for this is due to the fact that we in the west generally consume approximately 40 percent of our total calories from fat, whereas fat intake in China and Japan is considerably lower, at 10 to 20 percent.

Like all conditions that affect health, eating a balanced diet that is high in fibre with plenty of fruit and vegetables, will significantly lower the risks of developing many forms of cancer.

Some of the best prostate cancer fighting foods are:

Broccoli - Recent studies have proved that nutrients found naturally in vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are highly effective in suppressing the growth of human prostate cancer cells, and may even repair damaged cells.

Tomatoes - Tomatoes and tomato based products can significantly lower your chances of developing prostate cancer. Countless studies have testified to the ‘super’ effectiveness of tomatoes. A study undertaken by Harvard University of tomato-based products and lycopene intake among a group of more than 47,000 U.S. male health professionals over a twelve year period found that men who consumed two or more servings a week of tomato sauce significantly reduced their risk of developing prostate cancer.

Fibre - A high fibre diet has already been proven to cut your risk of developing heart disease and help lower blood pressure, but it could have considerable benefits in fighting prostate cancer too. Studies have shown that plasma testosterone levels, which can play a part in prostate cancer, were significantly lower in middle-aged men who ate high levels of dietary fibre from cereals, grains, fruits and vegetables when compared to men eating a typical western diet filled with processed foods, and much lower fibre content.

Fish and Nuts - Men with a higher intake of selenium are also less prone to developing prostate cancer, studies claim. Selenium can be found naturally in foods such as fish, lentils and Brazil nuts, all of which should be incorporated into a healthy, balanced diet.

Soy - Many researchers believe that the lower incidence of prostate cancer in Asian countries is largely due to a diet rich in soy-based foods such as tofu. Soy is rich in phytochemicals called isoflavones, which experts believe have estrogenic properties that may counteract the development of hormone-sensitive tumours such as those found in prostate cancer.

Green Tea - Many studies have hailed the anti-cancerous properties of green tea, with studies showing that it can help protect against prostate cancer as well. A study carried out in Italy in 2004 revealed that after a year's oral administration of green tea catechins (GTCs), only one man in a group of 32 at high risk of developing prostate cancer actually contracted the disease, compared to nine out of 30 in a controlled group. Green tea is rich in natural anti-oxidants that can help the body fight the damage caused by free radicals.