 Illustration courtesy of the CDC “We don’t know exactly why prostatic
enlargement happens as men get older,” Dr. Misop Han explained at the American
Medical Association’s 24th Annual Science Reporters Conference, held last
November. “It is our assumption that it is part of the aging process because of
changes in hormones and growth factors,” adds the assistant professor of
urology at Northwestern University and a physician at Northwestern Memorial
Hospital in Chicago. “But what throws us off is that not all men have BPH. If
it was a normal aging function, all men would have it.”
BPH Versus Prostate Cancer
First, a few basics: The prostate is a gland
found beneath the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube the bladder uses
to pass urine, and it also produces most semen (along with the seminal
vesicles).
At puberty, the prostate is about walnut
size, and there is normal growth as a man ages. But when the prostate becomes
too large, it places excessive pressure on the urethra, which causes men to
experience frequent urination, urinary urges, a weak urine stream, urine
retention and pain when urinating. Many guys immediately fear they have
prostate cancer, but BPH is an unrelated condition.
“While the symptoms are similar, BPH is not
life-threatening and does not put you at a higher risk for developing prostate
cancer,” Dr. Han says. Your healthcare provider can perform a physical exam and
blood test to make a proper diagnosis.
As
for prostate cancer, approximately 234,000 men face this diagnosis each year,
according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The good news: The cure rate is
better than 90%.
Fortunately,
men can take early-prevention steps, according to foundation researchers, who
note that “eating certain
foods and nutrients might decrease your chances of developing prostate cancer,
reduce the likelihood of having a prostate cancer recurrence or help
slow down progression of the disease.”
The Dietary Connection
Researchers say men can play an active role
in maintaining prostate health—and it should start long before one reaches age
50. Diet and exercise affect overall health, and smart lifestyle choices reduce
one’s cancer risk.
In The
Prostate Health Program, Drs. Daniel W. Nixon and Max Gomez encourage men
to follow the Prostate Health Pyramid, adapted from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Food Pyramid. (Dr. Nixon is president of the Institute for Cancer
Prevention in New York; Dr. Gomez is medical reporter for WNBC, the NBC
affiliate in New York City.)
The
Prostate Health Pyramid coincides with basic principles of organic living,
emphasizing a low-fat diet rich in fiber, fruits and vegetables, as well as
regular exercise: at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Obesity (a high body mass
index) can contribute to disease risk.
“The best prevention is to treat prostate health as if it were
heart health,” says Dr. Barton H. Wachs, a urologist at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
in California. “What's good for heart health is good for prostate health.
Exercise, fruits and vegetables, tobacco avoidance and alcohol moderation will
lead not only to good heart health, but to good prostate health as well,” he
tells OrganicAuthority.
Organic food, of course, reduces your exposure to pesticides
and chemicals, so OrganicAuthority.com recommends switching from conventional
to organic fruits, vegetables, grains and meats. Prostate Cancer Foundation
researchers specifically recommend:
- Tomatoes
(rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that helps protect against cancer).
Other foods containing lycopene include pink grapefruit, papaya,
watermelon and guava, but tomatoes have the highest levels.
- Cruciferous
vegetables that are high in fiber (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage,
Brussels sprouts).
In addition, Dr. Wachs says studies demonstrate the benefits
of selenium (200 milligrams
a day), fish oil supplements and monounsaturated fats like canola and olive
oil.
“Some individuals report relief using [the herb] saw
palmetto,” he says, “and although this was thought to be a universal
alternative treatment, recent studies indicate that it may not be as effective
as once thought.”
Partner with Your Physician
Even if you’re a man in your 20s, it’s not too early to
practice preventive medicine. See a physician regularly for a prostate exam,
and allow the doctor to determine whether you’re genetically predisposed to
future disease, Dr. Wachs says. Testing can offer peace of mind, while
predicting potential problems.
 Dr. Barton H. Wachs
Dr. Barton H. Wachs
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