| 1) |
How often should I get tested? |
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The American Urological Association recommends yearly prostate exams comprising of a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam for men 50 and older as well as men 40 or older who have a family history of prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that these two tests be offered annually beginning at the age of 50. They also recommend screening beginning at the age of 45 in men who are at high risk, including African Americans or those with a strong family history of prostate cancer.
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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., killing 2.5 percent of American men. Screening can find it early before it spreads, offering a chance for cure. (Advanced prostate cancer is incurable. Most prostate cancers grow slowly, and those most likely to benefit from screening are men aged 50 to 65. |
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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, and 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. (A digital rectal exam for colorectal cancer is usually done when you're lying on your side and by a health care worker trained to detect colorectal cancer.) |
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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 have had prostate cancer have an increased risk of getting prostate cancer themselves. A man's risk of developing this disease doubles if he has a father or brother with the disease. However, age and general health have much to do with a man's risk. It is seldom seen in young men, most men are over 65 at the time of diagnosis. Protect yourself now with a good diet, weight control and healthy lifestyle and you will change those prostate odds in your favor. |
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| 6) |
How can nutrition affect cancer development? |
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Good nutritional habits are important in preventing the development of cancer by limiting carcinogens, providing adequate and healthy nutrients, and maintaining a high concentration of protective factors. Paying careful attention to food choices and avoiding barbecuing and high temperature cooking practices can help reduce your exposure to carcinogens. Limiting fat, especially animal fat, and alcohol intake and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains 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 has been shown to be one risk factor for development of prostate cancer. The exact cause of the relationship between weight and this cancer is still unclear but may include poor dietary habits. If your BMI score is 30 or higher, you can decrease your risk for cancer by losing weight in consultation with your physician, nutritionist, and/or 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 have shown to be protective against cancer, is supplementing them to have more better? |
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There are numerous types of antioxidants found in foods including vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber. Phytochemicals are non-nutritive substances found in foods such as terpenoids, flavonoids, lignanes, and phenolic compounds. When supplementing your diet with a particular antioxidant, or mix of antioxidants, it is impossible to mimic the wide array found naturally in foods. Repeated studies show that consumption of 5 fruits and vegetables a day confer the most effective cancer protection. |
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| 9) |
Does Selenium prevent prostate cancer development and how much should I supplement my diet? |
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The evidence that Selenium, a trace element, reduces your risk for prostate cancer is still not definitive and more research is necessary to determine any cancer protective link. Selenium supplementation above 1000 mcg may produce side effects including hair and nail changes and 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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It's true that 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. Moderation is considered less than one drink per day for women and two for men. Remember, exercise also raises the HDL, without the carcinogenic risks associated with alcohol. |
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| 11) |
Does caffeine increase my risk for cancer? |
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Despite the high amount of rodent carcinogens in cancer and purported links to some human cancers, extensive research in humans have failed to show any connection between caffeine consumption and cancer. Both the American Cancer Society and National Academy of Sciences' National Research Council report that there is no indication that caffeine influences cancer risk. Caffeine does not provide any protection, however, too many cups of strong coffee can result in health problems including sleep disturbance, rapid or irregular heart beat, anxiety, nervousness, depression, headache and digestive problems. You might want to consider green tea as an alternative beverage. It contains an antioxidant thought to protect us from cancer. |
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| 12) |
What about diets that promote higher protein intakes and lower amounts of carbohydrate. Do these diets help reduce cancer risk? |
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Eating too much protein can easily turn into eating too much saturated fat and calories. High protein, low carbohydrate diets are not consistent with what has been outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Nutrition Recommendations for Canadians, the National Cholesterol Education Program or the Surgeon General's Report (just to mention a few). A cancer preventative diet is rich in carbohydrates as they contain most of the fiber and many antioxidants and low in high saturated fat protein foods that contribute to carcinogenesis. Choose whole grains, dried beans and fresh fruits. Eat vegetables in abundance. Choose nonfat and lowfat dairy products. Choose lean meats, in moderation. Reduce intakes of fats (especially saturated fats). And keep salt and sugary foods to a minimum. |
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| 13) |
Does dietary fat cause prostate cancer? |
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No studies within the United States have shown an increased incidence 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. |
