Prevention of Prostate Cancer

ABSTRACT

Prostate cancer can be prevented more easily than other types of cancers, thanks to the following reasons The presence of precursor lesions, longer doulbling time of cancerous cells, high incidence and prevalence, and susceptibility to chemo-preventive agents such as 5 alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI). The following risk factors may increase the incidence of prostate cancer age (older than 50), family history of prostate cancer, race (African-American), hormones (testosterone, dehydrotestosterone), and diet high in dairy foods and calcium. The following protective factors may decrease the risk of prostate cancer Lycopene, Soy, Green tea, Vit. D, and taking Finasteride or Dutasteride. The following have not been proven to prevent prostate cancer Selenium, vitamin E, retinoid, and multivitamins. However, their effectiveness is still under investigation. Avoiding risk factors such as smoking, being overweight and lack of exercise may help prevent cancers. Increasing protective factors such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and exercising may also help prevent cancers. Some clinical studies are conducted on polyphenon E for high grade PIN, Vitamin D, fish oil, green tea, and aspirin for prostate cancer prevention. Prostate cancer is an attractive and appropriate target for cancer prevention because of its incidence, prevalence and disease-related mortality. In addition to changing life style with healthy food and reducing dairy and calcium intake, taking certain drugs (5ARI) may prevent cancer development.