Page 196 - Urological Health

How can we prevent prostate cancer?

Unfortunately, we don’t know the exact cause of prostate cancer. Because of this, we can’t say what
can prevent it. There are many genetic changes linked to the development of prostate cancer, but how
to prevent these changes is not known.

Apopular view is thatthe cancer develops in people withadiethighin animal fat(acommon diet
for most people living in North America and Europe). So, we think that a well-balanced diet high in
vegetable and fruit content with a normal amount of protein, but limiting the amount of animal fat,
is likely the best diet to minimize your risk of developing prostate cancer. The Canadian Food Guide
is an excellent diet for healthy living.

Another popular idea is that some dietary supplements, herbal therapies and multivitamins are
helpful, but we don’t have any studies that show this. Selenium and vitamin E have been studied and
they showed no benefit in preventing prostate cancer.

Two medications, to treat BPH, can reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer; these are
Proscar and Avodart. However, these medications are unlikely to reduce the risk of prostate cancer
that would be important to diagnose and treat. These medications take about six months to decrease
the size of the prostate by about 20%. Both are indicated to treat BPH, which is causing significant
urine flow blockage, urinary tract infection, stones in the bladder or risk of kidney damage. There is
UNDER REVIEW
controversy over these medications. In men who develop prostate cancer and who have been on these
medications for many years, there is concern that the drugs may cause a higher grade of cancer to
develop. This concern has not been definitively demonstrated. The Food and Drug Administration in
the United States has stated that Proscar and Avodart should not be used for prostate cancer
prevention, but they can be used to treat BPH.

How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

It is diagnosed and staged based on your medical history, physical exam, lab tests and radiologic
imaging. Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed before you have symptoms; when symptoms happen,
it’s likely that your cancer has spread to nearby organs or other parts of your body.

The DRE

An accurate digital rectal exam (DRE) is crucial and may show signs of prostate cancer (a very firm
area or a hard nodule) of prostate cancer. In a DRE, your doctor gently puts a lubricated, gloved finger
into the rectum. In patients with locally advanced prostate cancer (if your cancer has spread to nearby
organs), often a large mass is felt. The DRE also helps to identify BPH or prostatitis, which are two of
the more common conditions that can also cause PSA elevations.The DRE also helps in estimating the
size of the prostate. A large prostate in itself is not a sign of cancer, but BPH. The physical exam can
also help identify if metastatic prostate cancer is present (if your cancer has spread to other parts of
your body, for example your bones).

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