The prostate is an organ that secretes and stores a fluid that helps make semen. What’s prostate cancer? A person is said to have prostate cancer when malignant or uncontrolled growth of cells starts in the prostate gland. Research has helped identify several risk factors for prostate cancer, including family history, age, diet, and race. Although some of the predisposing factors for prostate cancer are beyond your control, taking certain actions may help lower your chance of developing the disease.
Here are some of the ways you prevent prostate cancer.
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
Most vegetables and fruits contain fiber and nutrients good for overall human health. Green vegetables, especially cruciferous ones, including bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower, could help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. They provide your body with compounds that help break down the carcinogens responsible for causing the disease. A study reveals that lycopene can help reduce the growth and development of prostate cancer cells. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant present in fruits such as tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruits.
Tomatoes have the highest amount of this compound. However, you may wonder how to add more of them to your diet to prevent prostate cancer. Research reveals that frying tomatoes ease the absorption of lycopene into your body. Lycopene builds up during ripening; therefore, you should go for the redder tomatoes instead of those picked too early.
Another study reveals that people who consumed cooked and canned tomatoes more than four times a week could have their risk factor of prostate cancer reduced by 28% compared to those who didn’t consume those foods. However, despite the evidence showing the likelihood of tomatoes lowering the disease risk, researchers suggested the need for more research. Still, eating more fruits and vegetables can still be a helpful prostate cancer natural treatment.
Exercise Regularly
There is a link between obesity or being overweight and the risk of developing several cancers. However, the connection between weight and the risk of prostate cancer seems to be complex. A study found a weak association between the body mass index and prostate cancer risk. But on adjusting to waist circumference, they realized that the risk of the disease increased with increasing BMI in people with a larger waist circumference.
However, the negative effect of obesity or being overweight in patients already diagnosed with prostate cancer is clearer. It causes an increased risk of disease progression or recurrence in these people.
Exercise helps one stay healthy, and its importance for preventing cancer is crystal clear. Regular physical activity helps remove toxins from your body and improves cardiovascular health. Further, it can help you maintain a healthy weight. You don’t have to buy expensive equipment or enroll in a gym for results. You can try simple no-cost exercises such as jogging, running, or walking.
Quit Smoking
Smoking tobacco brings many toxic chemicals into your body. However, more studies are necessary to help establish the impact of smoking on prostate cancer risk. The current ones link smoking to an increased risk of dying from the disease. For instance, one study noted an increased risk of death due to prostate cancer in people who are smoking at the time of their diagnosis. Another study revealed an increased likelihood of prostate cancer recurrence in people who smoke when they are diagnosed with the disease. These studies concluded a lower risk of death among people who had quit smoking before their diagnosis compared to those who were still smoking at the time.
Take Green Tea, Coffee, or Soybeans
Green tea contains catechins and polyphenols, which reduce inflammation and may protect against cancer cell formation. A study found that men who consumed higher amounts of green tea had a lower risk of prostate cancer. Further, an analysis of 10 studies found that each additional cup of green tea per day could help reduce the occurrence of the disease. It linearly associated taking more than seven cups per day with a significant reduction in the risk.
In addition to green tea, you can also consider increasing your coffee intake. An analysis of clinical studies reveals that a daily intake of 4-5 cups of coffee can reduce the overall likelihood of prostate cancer. It can also lower the chances of the disease becoming high-grade and fatal. Another analysis reported an 11% decrease in the risk of fatal prostate cancer with every 3 cups of coffee.
However, you should note that it may not just be about the amount of coffee you take but also how you prepare your coffee. A study examined boiled coffee and coffee brewed with a filter and found that men who consumed the former had a lower risk of prostate cancer than those who took coffee prepared differently.
Finally, a small review of controlled studies linked isoflavone to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Isoflavones are nutrients present in soybeans and soy products. Therefore, soya can be a good option if you’re looking to prevent prostate cancer while avoiding caffeine.
Avoid Unhealthy Fats
There is a link between animal fats and saturated fats and increased prostate cancer risk. Red meat and dairy products, including cheese and butter, are full of protein and other crucial nutrients but have high levels of saturated fat. Additionally, candies, pastries, and many prepackaged or fast foods contain saturated fat.
Consuming saturated fats in excess leads to increased stress in the body, damage to the DNA, and the production of cancer cells. Fats may also increase hormone levels, such as testosterone, thus affecting cell growth. Consider replacing these unhealthy fats with plant-based fats or healthier food options. For instance, you can substitute butter with olive oil, cheese with seeds or nuts, prepackaged foods with fresh vegetables, and candy with fruit.
Stay Sexually Active and Safe
A long-term study investigated nearly 32,000 men for 18 years to determine a link between the frequency of ejaculations and the cases of prostate cancer. The research found a significant reduction in the risk of prostate cancer in men between 20 and 50 years who had at least 21 ejaculations per month compared to those who ejaculated 4 to 7 times monthly.
Accumulating seminal fluid can promote cellular processes that lead to cancer generation and development. Semen contains carcinogenic substances, and regular ejaculation can help flush them out.
While staying sexually active can help prevent prostate cancer, unsafe sex could be detrimental. Sexually transmitted infections such as trichomoniasis could increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Although the virus is treatable, it may have long-term effects. A study found that having trichomoniasis increased the chance of developing prostate cancer by 40%.
Manage Stress
The physiology of the human body (the state of your physical and mental health) and cancer have a link. Prostate cancer can take root and grow if extreme stress has an accumulative effect on your body’s physiology.
Consequently, the cortisol levels in the body increase and intensify the body’s response to stress in ways that could affect your health. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid stress hormone whose signaling elevates for a short time under healthy conditions to help the body handle stress. However, high levels of this chemical can lead to prostate tumor aggressiveness.
While you can tackle the situation by avoiding negative stressors, implementing strategies to deal with them is more feasible. For example, mindfulness interventions or exercise can help you handle stress more effectively.
Get Enough Vitamin D
When researchers noted that certain cancers were less common among people living in southern latitudes where sunlight exposure is relatively high, they began to investigate whether there is an association between Vitamin D and cancer. Several studies continue exploring more on this relationship. One of the studies found that people with vitamin D deficiency were at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. You can obtain this vitamin by increasing your sun exposure and consuming foods such as salmon and mushrooms.
Consider Regular Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate cancer may not exhibit detectable symptoms, especially in its early stages. If some signs and symptoms occur, you may misinterpret them for other conditions. Therefore, early detection and regular prostate cancer screening are among the best prevention measures. Consider regular screening, especially if you live with risk factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of prostate cancer, old age, or obesity. Also, it’s good to monitor your prostate health.
Your doctor would provide a full range of diagnostics and imaging services to establish the presence of cancer cells and offer appropriate prostate cancer treatment. Diagnosing prostate cancer in its early stages is critical since you can receive effective treatment that gives you complete relief and prevents the disease from recurring.
Natural Treatments for Prostate Cancer
Embracing healthy habits as you age helps ensure you have a positive experience along the way. However, regular screening is your best defense to preventing prostate cancer. It helps you monitor your prostate health and allows treatment to start immediately if the doctor detects the disease.
At Immunity Therapy Center, we have a wide array of natural treatment programs for prostate cancer. Our treatment plan aims to activate your immune system to detect and eliminate cancerous cells. We also have natural therapies intended to exploit the weaknesses of cancer cells. Our dedicated team will create a personalized treatment plan for you depending on your preferences, stage of the cancer, and overall health. Contact us for holistic care and more information about our alternative treatment options for prostate cancer.
Written By: Dr. David Alvarez
Dr. David Alvarez is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Xochicalco and Certified by the American Heart Association (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support).
Dr. Alvarez has been collaborating with Dr. Bautista as an Assistant Medical Director at the Immunity Therapy Center for over 6 years. He provides daily on site patient care and participates on the medical board on research and development of patient treatment plans and programs. Dr. Alvarez is a knowledgeable and compassionate Doctor committed to helping patients get to where they want to be health wise through a more holistic and comprehensive approach.
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At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.