Men’s Health – Prostate Cancer

One can never write enough about prostate cancer, a condition whose existence most men would prefer to ignore and know surprisingly little about. Thereby prostate cancer has risen by 25% in the past 5 years and currently 1 in 14 men die of it, some 10,000 every year in the UK alone. Prostate cancer accounts for 1 in 6 of all male cancers and is the second most common case of death that is cancer related. If they lived long enough all men were to get it eventually.

The prostate is a walnut sized gland located under the bladder. Simply put the main function of the prostate is to store and secrete a slightly alkaline (pH 7.29) fluid, milky or white in appearance, that usually constitutes 25-30% of the volume of the semen along with spermatozoa and seminal vesicle fluid. The alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidity of the vaginal tract, prolonging the lifespan of sperm.

Typical common symptoms of prostate cancer are the following, mostly a combination of several:

• A weak urine stream
• Hesitancy when wanting to urinate i.e. needing to push or strain in order to start
• Dribbling continues when one thinks one has finished urinating
• Being unable to urinate
• Always having an urgency to urinate
• The urine flow is on and off

So why is prostate cancer on the increase? Opinions are divided but there is a strong view that this type of cancer, as well as others, has become more common due to increasing attacks by free radicals. These are unstable atoms that miss an electron which they try to pinch from body cells, hence generating more free radicals. Free radicals are produced by the likes of burnt food (fry ups, BBQ food), pollution, UVV and UVB rays, herbicides, pesticides, etc. SOD enzymes (superoxide dismutases, they are an important antioxidant defence in nearly all cells exposed to oxygen) in the body control free radicals, providing they get the ‘right support’ from a healthy diet. The generally recommended 5 portions of fruit and vegetable a day only help maintain SOD enzymes when they derive from a high quality source, otherwise humans rather need 9 portions a day or have to rely on supplements in order to get the necessary antioxidants that fight free radicals. Types of antioxidants are vitamins A, C and E, as well as minerals like zinc. Saw palmetto and pygeum extract contain essential fatty acids and sterols for prostate support. Vitamin E, selenium and lycopene are extremely powerful antioxidants that help to maintain proper prostate function by counteracting the damaging effects of free radicals in the cell tissues.

Recent research findings also suggest that eating oily fish just once a week could help men to survive prostate cancer. According to journalist David Pilditch, a recent study (Daily Express, UK, 25 March 2009) shows that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids found in fish could prevent development of the deadly disease. Pilditch reports: 'The oils are ... believed to be able to block the spread of existing tumour cells. Leaders of a study say that just one three-ounce portion of fish a week could reverse the effect of a deadly inherited gene which can cause an aggressive form of the disease. Their findings showed that a high intake of omega-3 could reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer by almost 6 percent.'

Nutritionist Carina Norris states: 'Hardly a month goes by without scientists finding more benefits of fish oils... I would advise the use of supplements as hardly anyone in the UK east enough fish in their diets.'

Omega-3 is a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are 'essential' because the body cannot manufacture them and must therefore receive them from dietary sources. Two of the most important are called EPA (Eicosapentaeonic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), and they not only lower a person’s risk of developing heart disease, but lend some degree of protection by helping to keep arteries clear.

Other research over the past 30 years has also established that the other unsaturated fatty acids, known together as Omega-9, are a preferable dietary substitute for saturated animal fats because of their cholesterol-lowering effect. These nutrients are typically found in vegetable products such as olive-oil. In Mediterranean countries, where plenty of olive oil is eaten, scientists once again find much lower rates of coronary heart disease and cancer.

The right natural supplements certainly do not do any harm, however, without them it could be more difficult to overcome cancer in any shape or form. A regular check up also becomes an a growing requirement for early detection.