Prostate cancer is often devastating to men, not only because of the effect on their health, but also because the treatments can result in sexual dysfunction and bladder control problems.
Prostate cancer (an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells originating in the prostate gland) is the most common cancer, and the third-leading cause of cancer deaths, among American men.
Prostate cancer prevention is one of the most important health issues facing men today.
There are currently no pharmaceutical drugs that have been proven effective in preventing prostate cancer.
In contrast, two natural agents, selenium and vitamin E, have been found effective in prostate cancer prevention.
Selenium Selenium is an antioxidant that can be found in most plant foods and in some meats and shellfish.
Years of nutrition research have suggested that daily doses of the mineral selenium, vitamin E or both may help to prevent prostate cancer.
At least five major clinical trials have concluded that higher levels of selenium (in blood or toenail clippings) are associated with a sharply reduced risk of prostate cancer.
The researchers also observed a trend for a lower incidence of localized prostate cancer with high selenium levels, but this trend was not statistically significant.
For these men a high selenium level corresponded to a 70% decrease in the risk of advanced prostate cancer.
Vitamin Micronutrients such as selenium and vitamin E may help decrease the risk of prostate cancer by enhancing the immune system and decreasing the production of testosterone.
Men with high vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels were found to have a lower incidence of aggressive prostate cancer.
Vitamin E, which comprises a mixture of tocopherols, is a lipid-soluble antioxidant that is found in vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, and other foods.
Soybean products (soy milk or tofu) have been found to have a preventive effect as has a high intake of tomato products, lycopene, selenium, and vitamin E.
Tomatoes contain many bioactive components including vitamins C, K, E, as well as fiber, folate, and polyphenols such as quercetin.
Broccoli also contains numerous bioactive components, including folate, potassium, selenium, vitamins A, C, E, carotenoids, and polyphenols.
Exercise Cancer is a devastating disease, finding ways to prevent it through healthy eating and exercise will save lives in the future.
Thus, the potential public health impact of ongoing efforts to promote dietary improvements and exercise is significant.
Healthy diet and regular exercise are important ways to reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases.
In fact the more aerobic the exercise the better; walking, hiking, swimming and bike riding were some of the examples given in a study by Harvard Medical School.
Strive to achieve one hour each day of moderately intense exercise, and one hour each week of vigorous activity.
Supplements Men should be wary of quick fixes like lycopene supplements, vegetable-juice powders or other agents promoted for prostate-cancer prevention.
Prevention may be as simple as eating better, exercising more and taking a few key supplements.
So adopting certain changes of diet, ensuring you take supplements and keeping your emotions positive can all help in the prevention of prostate or indeed any other form of cancer.
Vitamin supplements cannot replace the benefits obtained from eating a diet high in fruit and vegetables, nor can they reverse the damage caused by alow-fiber, high-fat diet.