| 1) |
How often should I get tested? |
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The American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society recommend yearly prostate exams for men 50 and older. Men 40 or older who have a family history of prostate cancer should also get a prostate exam each year. A prostate exam includes a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam. |
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| 2) |
Why should I get tested? |
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Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Screening can find it early before it spreads, offering a chance for cure. Advanced prostate cancer is incurable. |
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| 3) |
What should I expect? |
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This exam can be done during a routine office visit. While you bend over, the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for any type of growth. The prostate gland is located next to the rectum. Most cancers begin in the area of the gland that can be reached by a rectal exam. This test can be uncomfortable but is not painful. It should be done by a health care worker trained in recognizing subtle prostate abnormalities.
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| 4) |
What do the results mean? |
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If any irregular or abnormally firm area is detected, further tests will be done to determine whether the abnormality is cancerous. A digital rectal exam is less effective in detecting prostate cancer compared with a PSA test.
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| 5) |
My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer recently. Does this mean that I am also at risk for this disease? |
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Men who have a family member who had prostate cancer have an increased risk of getting prostate cancer themselves. A man's risk of developing this disease doubles if his father or a brother had the disease. However, age and general health have much to do with a man's risk. Prostate concer rare in young men. Most men are over 65 at the time of diagnosis.
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| 6) |
How can nutrition affect cancer development? |
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Good nutritional habits limit carcinogens, provide adequate and healthy nutrients, and maintain a high concentration of protective factors. Pay careful attention to food choices.
- Avoid barbecuing and high temperature cooking these practices can introduce carcinogens into your food.
- Limit fat, especially animal fat
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
These choices will help you maintain a desirable weight and provide you with the components of foods that prevent cancer.
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| 7) |
If being overweight is associated with a higher risk for prostate cancers, how much should I weigh? |
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Being overweight is one risk factor for development of prostate cancer. The exact relationship between weight and this cancer is still unclear. It may be the result of poor eating habits. Find out your Body Mass Index (BMI) score. If your BMI score is 30 or higher, you can decrease your risk for cancer by losing weight. Talk to your doctor, a nutritionist, and/or an exercise trainer. These experts can help advise you about safe and appropriate weight loss strategies for you.
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| 8) |
If the antioxidants in food protect against cancer, is supplementing them to have more better? |
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There are many different antioxidants found in foods. They include vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber. It is impossible to mimic the wide array of antioxidants found naturally in foods. The best way to get the antioxidants you need is by eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
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| 9) |
Does Selenium prevent prostate cancer development and how much should I supplement my diet? |
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Selenium has not been proven to reduce the risk for prostate cancer. Be careful! More than 1000 mcg of Selenium may produce side effects including hair and nail changes. It can be toxic at levels greater than 2500 mcg taken each day.
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| 10) |
I've heard that one glass of wine per day is good for the heart but also that alcohol can increase your risk of cancer. What should I do? |
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Some studies have shown that one glass of wine per day may reduce the risk of heart disease in some people. It does this by increasing the HDL (good cholesterol). However, more is not better. Excess alcohol can raise blood pressure, blood triglycerides, weight, and increase your risk of cancer. If you don't drink now, it is not recommended that you start. If you do drink, do so with moderation - less than one drink per day for women and two for men.
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| 11) |
Does caffeine increase my risk for cancer? |
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Both the American Cancer Society and National Academy of Sciences' National Research Council report that there is no evidence that caffeine influences cancer risk. Caffeine does not provide any protection, however. Consider green tea as an alternative beverage. It contains an antioxidant thought to protect us from cancer.
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| 12) |
Do diets that promote higher protein intakes and lower amounts of carbohydratehelp reduce cancer risk? |
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Eating too much protein can easily turn into eating too much saturated fat and calories. A cancer preventative diet is rich in carbohydrates. They contain most of the fiber you need and many antioxidants.
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| 13) |
Does dietary fat cause prostate cancer? |
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No studies within the United States have shown higher rates of prostate cancer with high dietary fat intake. However, some foreign studies have shown a link between animal fat and red meats to prostate cancer. These studies did not exclude other factors known to contribute to cancer risk including cooking methods, overnutrition or alcohol consumption. The American Cancer Society recommends eating a plant food based diet, limiting red meat, total fat, animal fat and calories to maintain a desirable weight. |
