The prostate is a small gland — the size of a walnut — located between the bladder and the penis. Its main function is to produce seminal fluid to transport and nourish sperm. It is also responsible for regulating the flow of urine.
As long as the prostate is functioning normally, you should not be aware of it at all.
Signs of Prostate Cancer
Unfortunately, when cancer afflicts the prostate, there may not be symptoms for some time, or ever. When prostate cancer signs and symptoms do arise, they may include the following:
- Trouble urinating
- Sporadic or spasmic urine flow
- Blood in the urine and/or in the semen
- Bone pain
- Lower-back pain
- Pain in the hips or thighs
- Erectile dysfunction
The presence of any of these symptoms should prompt you to immediately seek the services of a board-certified urologist. The disease can be deadly, but if it is caught early enough, many patients can go on to live long and fruitful lives.
What Causes Prostate Tumors?
Prostate cancer is a multifactorial disease, which means there is no single cause. However, there are numerous factors that radically increase your risk of developing the disease. Some of these may also interweave with one another synergistically, thereby exponentially increasing your risk. Knowing how these factors may affect you helps you to objectively evaluate your risk and heighten your awareness of changes that may indicate the presence of cancer.
By understanding the risks for prostate cancer, you can regulate your lifestyle to minimize their impact on your health.
Genetic Predisposition
If you have a family history of prostate cancer, breast cancer, or the genes that cause breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2), your risk may increase.
African-American men also have been demonstrated to be at greater risk. They also tend to present at a more advanced and/or aggressive stage, though it is not yet known why.
While there is nothing you can do about your genetic makeup, knowing that you are at increased risk can help you make better lifestyle choices that should then minimize your chances of developing prostate cancer.
Dietary Factors
Diets high in animal protein and low in fruits and vegetables have been associated with a higher risk for prostate cancer. Cut out fried or processed foods and replace them with much more flavorful and healthy choices. Another high-risk food is red meat, which tends to be cooked at high temperatures – a process that produces as many carcinogens as cigarette smoke.
Limit alcohol, which may increase your risk, to one to two drinks per day or less. Develop a taste for green tea; it contains polyphenols that can limit damage to cells.
While it is often touted as a health food, flax seed oil should be avoided because it is an estrogen (female hormone) mimicker that may promote the growth of cancerous cells in the prostate. Choose vitamin E-rich olive oil instead. Dairy products – including cheeses – also may increase your risk.
Foods that have been shown to have anti-cancer benefits include cruciferous vegetables, high-lycopene tomatoes, and low-glycemic fruits, such as pomegranates, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. At least three times a week, eat fish rich in the “good” fat – omega 3 fatty acids: salmon, sardines, mackerel and more. Be sure to avoid frying the fish and choose baked, grilled or poached instead.
Simply regulating your weight may also help, as obesity is associated with an increased risk. Read more about dietary prevention here.
Environmental Exposures
Living or working in an environment that contains a high level of toxins puts you at increased risk for prostate cancer. Occupational studies have shown that farmers who mix and apply pesticides on their crops have a higher risk than do controls. Avoid pesticides when home gardening. Switch to organic meats, fruits, and vegetables to limit your exposure to carcinogens, such as organophosphate and organochlorine.
The heavy metal cadmium, found in tobacco leaves, has been associated with a higher risk for the disease. People who smoke have twice as much cadmium in their bodies than nonsmokers, another reason to quit.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were banned decades ago, but persist in animal fat and the environment. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogen mimicker found in plastic. Both PCBs and BPA are associated with a higher than normal prostate cancer risk. Avoid eating animal fat. Switch from plastic cups, plates, and utensils to glass, ceramic, and metal. Also, avoid canned foods or find cans that are BPA free.
Psychological and Emotional Stressors
While stress is a normal and necessary part of life and can be beneficial, excess or chronic stress wears out our immune system, making it less able to combat and kill cancer cells. In one study, mouse models who received cancer cells were more likely to develop tumors and had bigger tumors if they were exposed to a stressful experience, such as the scent of a predator. Mice injected with the stress hormone adrenaline also had an increased risk of disease, and were less responsive to therapy than controls.
Psychological and emotional stressors, such as an unhappy marriage or unsatisfying work situation, can take their toll. Get the help you need – whether from counselors, therapists, or coaches – to make lifestyle changes that will reduce chronic stress.
Stress-reducing practices, such as regular exercise, deep breathing, meditation, and yoga, can all be used to calm your nervous system, preventing the release of stress hormones that may raise your risk.
Learn more about prostate gland cancer risks at Cancer.org.
Stop Cancer Early With In-Depth Exams
Regular prostate exams can reassure you that your prostate remains healthy or catch the disease in an early and very treatable phase. Taking control of your health by adopting the above strategies and participating in a regular screening program is one of the best and easiest ways you can reduce your stress levels and lower your risk.
Please schedule a consult with the Prostate Cancer Specialists of Los Angeles by calling (310) 499-2756 or contacting us with our online appointment form.
In a Nutshell: Contributors to Prostate Cancer Development
- Age and Genetic Risk Factors: BRCA genes, African American males, family history
- Unhealthy Eating Habits: Animal fats, red meat, fried foods, processed food
- Smoking and Heavy Drinking
- Chemicals: BPA, PCBs, etc