Prostate cancer is more prevalent in men over 40

Prostate Cancer developing in a man’s prostate, which is a gland in the male reproductive system that produces and stores semen. Small cancerous cells are usually present in the prostate but not harmful, but when the cancer develops it can spread to other parts of the body and become fatal.

Symptoms include pain urinating, discomfort during sexual intercourse, erectile dysfunction or painful ejaculation. Sufferers may also urinate more often at night and pass blood along with urine in rare cases. Advanced prostate cancer may spread to the bones, especially in the spine, pelvis or ribs.

Prostate cancer is more prevalent in men over 40, those with a history of the disease in their family and Black men. However there are some preventative steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of suffering from the disease.
These include avoiding foods that are high in saturated fats, which is found in red meat, eating less food high in sugar and salt and eating small portions at meal times. Whole grain rice and bread, a variety of fruits and vegetables, beans and green tea and food rich in Omedga-3 (found in oily fish like salmon or mackerel) is also recommended, and the antioxidants found in tomatoes have also been cited as key in keeping prostate cancer at bay.

Increased intake of Vitamin D is similarly beneficial and is found in foods like milk and cereal and also absorbed from the sun’s rays. Cutting down or giving up alcohol and cigarettes is also recommended for preventing prostate as well as other types of cancers.

Overweight men have a high risk of developing prostate cancer, and although a direct link between obesity and the disease has not been established, medical professionals believe obesity may increase hormone levels associated with prostate cancer, so healthy eating and exercise is encouraged to reduce the risk.

Increased sexual activity and masturbation has also been cited as a preventative measure, as scientists have found that ejaculation flushes out potential cancer-forming toxins from the prostate glands, so the higher the incidence of ejaculation, the healthier the prostate.

A drug called Finasteride, which helps to reduce testosterone in men, has been shown to also reduce the hormones that cause prostate cancer, however the possible side effects and long term safety concerns have halted its widespread use.

Treatment for Prostate cancer involves hormonal therapy, which delays the growth and reduces symptoms, surgery to help ease the problems with urinating, chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells or radiotherapy to reduce the pain.