Prostate

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that is part of a man’s sex organs, which also include the penis, scrotum, and testicles.

The prostate makes fluid that goes into semen, which is a mix of sperm and prostate fluid. Prostate fluid is important for a man’s ability to father children.The prostate gland’s main function is during sexual intercourse. At ejaculation, sperm is mixed with fluid from the prostate gland. A substance called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) liquidises the ejaculate to improve the chances of fertilization. The fluid produced by the prostate also prevents infection in the urethra.

 

Location of the  Prostate

The prostate is in front of the rectum and just below the bladder. The gland surrounds the urethra at the neck of the bladder. The bladder neck is the area where the urethra joins the bladder. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. In men, the urethra also carries semen out. Urine and semen flowing through the urethra pass through the prostate.

 

What are common prostate problems?

 

Common prostate problems include

 

  • prostatitis—inflammation, or swelling, of the prostate
  • benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—an enlarged prostate due to something other than cancer
  • prostate cancer

 

How common is Prostate Disease?

BPH is the most common prostate problem in men. Almost all men will develop some enlargement of the prostate as they grow older. By age 60, 50% of men will have some signs of BPH; by age 85, 90% of men will have signs of the condition. About half of these men will develop symptoms that need to be treated.

 

What causes prostate problems?

The cause of prostate problems may be prostatitis or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia BPH

Your doctor may not always know the exact cause of your prostate problem.

 

What is Prostatitis?

Prostatitis is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland situated directly below the bladder in men. Prostatitis affects men of all ages but tends to be more common in men 50 or younger. The condition has a number of causes. Sometimes the cause isn’t identified. If prostatitis is caused by a bacterial infection, it can usually be treated with antibiotics. Depending on the cause, prostatitis can come on gradually or suddenly. It might improve quickly, either on its own or with treatment. Some types of prostatitis last for months or keep recurring (chronic prostatitis)

 

Symptoms

Prostatitis signs and symptoms depend on the cause. They can include:

  • Pain or burning sensation when urinating (dysuria)
  • Difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitant urination
  • Frequent urination, particularly at night (nocturia)
  • Urgent need to urinate
  • Cloudy urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back
  • Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum (perineum)
  • Pain or discomfort of the penis or testicles
  • Painful ejaculation
  • Flu-like signs and symptoms (with bacterial prostatitis)
Causes

Acute bacterial prostatitis is often caused by common strains of bacteria. The infection can start when bacteria in urine leak into your prostate. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. If they don’t eliminate the bacteria prostatitis might recur or be difficult to treat (chronic bacterial prostatitis).

 

Chronic non bacterial  prostatitis.  Researchers think that an infection of tiny organisms, though not bacteria, can cause chronic prostatitis. Other causes may include chemicals in your urine, your body’s response to a previous urinary tract infection (UTI), or have emotional stress. Most of the time doctors don’t find any infection in men with chronic prostatitis. Nerve damage in the lower urinary tract, which can be caused by surgery or trauma to the area, might contribute to prostatitis not caused by a bacterial infection. In many cases of prostatitis, the cause isn’t identified.

 

Risk factors

Risk factors for prostatitis include:

  • Being young or middle-aged
  • Having had prostatitis previously
  • Having an infection in the bladder or the tube that transports semen and urine to the penis (urethra)
  • Having pelvic trauma, such as an injury from bicycling or horseback riding
  • Using a tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder (urinary catheter)
  • Having HIV/AIDS
  • Having had a prostate biopsy

 

 

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

 

WHAT IS BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA(BPH)?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is when the prostate and surrounding tissue expands. The prostate goes through two main growth periods as a man ages. The first is early in puberty, when the prostate doubles in size. The second begins around age 25 and continues during most of a man’s life. As you age, your prostate may get larger. BPH is when it gets large enough to cause problems.

While the prostate is usually the size of a walnut or golf ball in adult men, it can grow to be as large as an orange. As the gland enlarges, it can squeeze the urethra. The bladder wall becomes thicker. Over time the bladder may weaken and lose the ability to empty fully. Urine then remains in the bladder. These problems cause many of the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of BPH. If you are not able to pass urine at all (called retention) or if you have renal failure, immediate attention is required. But, other symptoms like weak urine stream or the need to push or strain can many times be monitored.

BPH is benign. This means it is not cancer, nor does it lead to cancer. Still, BPH and cancer can happen at the same time. BPH itself may not require any treatment, but if it begins to cause symptoms, treatment may help. It is also of great value to know that BPH is common. About half of all men between ages 51 and 60 have BPH. Up to 90% of men over age 80 have it.  Changes in male-hormone levels in older men, aging, inflammation, and fibrosis may play a role in causing BPH. Fibrosis is when extra tissue forms around your organs and becomes thick and stiff. Men younger than age 40 rarely have BPH symptoms. The number of men with BPH symptoms increases with age. If you have a family history of BPH, you may be more likely to get BPH. Other factors that increase your chances for BPH may include certain medical conditions and lifestyle choices.

Symptoms

When the prostate is enlarged, it can bother or block the bladder. Needing to pass urine often is a common symptom of BPH. This might be every 1 to 2 hours, mainly at night.

Other symptoms include:

  • Incomplete emptying: the feeling your bladder is full, even after passing urine.
  • Frequency: the need to pass urine often, about every one to two hours.
  • Intermittency: the need to stop and start several times when passing urine.
  • Urgency: feeling the urgent need to pass urine as if you can’t wait.
  • Weak stream: a weak urine flow.
  • Straining: trouble starting to pass urine or the need to push or strain to pass urine.
  • Nocturia: the need to wake up at night more than two times to pass urine.
  • blood in your urine
  • dribbling at the end of urination
  • fever, chills, or body aches
  • great discomfort or pain in your belly
  • pain in the area between your scrotum and anus
  • pain in your penis or scrotum
  • pain while urinating or after ejaculation
  • trouble starting or keeping a urine stream
  • unable to delay urination
  • unable to empty your bladder completely
  • urinating eight or more times a day
  • urine that has an unusual color or smell
  • waking often to urinate when you sleep

 

Do prostate problems cause other problems?

Yes, a prostate problem may cause other problems, such as

 

  • problems having sex
  • a UTI
  • feeling stressed due to chronic pain
  • inflammation in areas near your prostate
  • bladder stones
  • kidney failure

 

Which problem you may get depends on the type of prostate problem you have. Other problems may vary from man to man for each type of prostate problem.

If BPH becomes severe, you might not be able to pass urine at all. This is an emergency that must be treated right away. If you have BPH, you may need to wake up often to urinate when you sleep. Your urine may have an unusual color or smell. You may also have pain while urinating or after ejaculation.

See your doctor if you have these symptoms

If you can’t urinate at all, you should get medical help right away. Sometimes this problem happens suddenly to men after they take certain cold or allergy medicines.

 

How Can BPH Affect Your Life?

In most men, BPH gets worse with age. It can lead to bladder damage and infection. It can cause blood in the urine and cause kidney damage.

 

Causes

It mainly occurs in older men. Hormone changes are thought to play a role.Hormones from the testis may be the main factor. For example, as men age, the amount of active testosterone in the blood declines. Estrogen levels stay the same.BPH may occur when these hormone changes trigger prostate cell growth. Another theory is about the role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This male hormone supports prostate development. Some studies show that older men have higher levels of DHT. Testosterone levels go down.

Who is at Risk for BPH?

There are many risk factors for BPH. Men who are at a higher risk include:

  • Men over the age of 50 as the risk for BPH rises with age
  • Men whose fathers had BPH
  • Men who are overweight or obese
  • Men who don’t stay active
  • Some men with erectile dysfunction (ED)
Can BPH be Prevented?

There is no sure way to prevent BPH. Still, losing weight and eating a well-balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, may help. Too much body fat, may increase hormone levels and other factors in the blood, and stimulate the growth of prostate cells. Staying active also helps

Treatment of BPH

 

Medicines. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to stop prostate growth or actually shrink the prostate in some men. Your doctor also may prescribe another medicine that relaxes prostate and bladder muscles.

 

Surgery. If your prostate keeps growing or your symptoms get worse, your doctor may recommend surgery to shrink your prostate. Most of the surgeries are transurethral, which means your doctor inserts a thin tube into your urethra to reach the prostate. Your doctor performs the transurethral surgery in an outpatient center or a hospital. Your doctor will give you medicines to help you relax and stop you from feeling pain, or your doctor may give you medicine so you are asleep during surgery. Most men can go home the same day as the surgery.

In most cases, surgery to shrink or remove prostate tissue offers long-term relief from problems due to BPH. In a few cases, the prostate may continue to grow and problems may return. Surgery for BPH does not prevent cancer. You should continue to have your prostate checked after surgery to make sure your prostate has not grown larger.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend removing your prostate. Your doctor performs this surgery in a hospital. Your doctor will give you medicine so you are asleep during surgery. You will need a hospital stay after your surgery.

 

 

What are the side effects of treatments for prostate problems?

 

The side effects of treating prostate problems may include the following:

  • The medicines you take for prostatitis and BPH may make you feel sick or uncomfortable. Tell your doctor right away if you think the medicine is causing you to feel this way.

 

  • Surgery for BPH may have a temporary effect on your ability to have sex. Most men recover their ability to have sex within a year of surgery. The exact length of time depends on the type of surgery and how long you had symptoms before surgery.

 

  • You also may have bladder control problems after treatment for BPH. In most cases, these problems go away after several months.

 

If you have any problems after treatment for prostate problems, talk with your doctor. Chances are good that your doctor can help you. If your doctor removes your prostate, you’re more likely to have long-lasting problems with bladder control and having sex. Your doctor can recommend the best treatment options for these problems.

 

 

Managing an enlarged prostate

 

Dietary changes can be quite effective in managing some of the symptoms of BPH, but other basic lifestyle changes can help as well.

 

Some strategies that may ease BPH symptoms include:

 

  • managing stress
  • quitting smoking
  • doing pelvic floor exercises
  • avoiding medications that can worsen symptoms, such as antihistamines, diuretics, and decongestants if possible
  • trying bladder training exercises
  • limiting fluid intake to 2 liters of liquids each day
  • limiting consumption of caffeine and alcohol
  • reducing liquid consumption for 2 hours and going to the toilet before sleep, long journeys, or other occasions when urinating may be difficult
  • emptying the bladder as thoroughly as possible with each urination
  • doing exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
  • working with a physician to train the bladder to hold more urine for longer
  • eating more fiber to help prevent constipation, which can worsen symptoms of BPH
  • avoiding medications that can make BPH symptoms worse, such as antihistamines and decongestants
  • reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
  • adopting a healthful, low-fat diet and limiting spicy foods
  • exercising regularly

 

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR PROSTATE PROBLEMS

 

Some natural remedies have shown promise for treating symptoms of BPH. They include:

 

Saw palmetto

 Saw palmetto berries may help reduce the symptoms of BPH.

Saw palmetto berries are a well-known natural remedy that may help to treat BPH. According to a 2016 review, some studies have suggested that berry extracts from saw palmetto can help to reduce the symptoms of BPH. The authors state that they may even be as effective as finasteride, a common medication for the treatment of urinary retention. However, a 2012 Cochrane review of 32 trials concluded that saw palmetto in any form does not improve any of the symptoms associated with BPH, suggesting that this natural remedy cannot help people with this condition.

 

Prunus africana

 

Traditional medicine practitioners use bark extract from Prunus africana, the African cherry, to treat a variety of health conditions. According to a 2016 review, some studies have suggested that the bark extract may be effective for relieving symptoms of BPH.

A Cochrane review states that more evidence is necessary, but that this plant may provide moderate relief from the symptoms that BPH causes.

 

 Beta-sitosterol: This is a substance found in many plants. It doesn’t affect the size of the prostate, but it may help your bladder empty and give you a stronger urine flow. It may improve other BPH symptoms as well. Studies with Harzol and Azuprostat, two supplements that contain beta-sitosterol from South African stargrass, have shown particular promise.

 

Pygeum: This comes from the bark of the African plum tree. It seems to help some men with BPH wake up less at night to pee, go fewer times during the day, have a stronger urine stream, and empty their bladders better.

 

Rye pollen extract: This substance may improve a number of BPH symptoms, such as:

 

  • Dribbling after you finish peeing
  • Having to pee often throughout the day
  • Having painful urination
  • Having a weak urine stream
  • Having an urgent need to pee

 

Some research shows that it may also shrink the prostate, give you a better flow, and help you empty your bladder.

 

Other supplements show hopeful signs of helping in studies so far, but there’s less research on these than the more common options.

 

Pumpkin seeds: These and pumpkin seed oil extract seem to help with BPH symptoms and may shrink the size of the prostate. It may also be helpful when used along with other supplements such as saw palmetto.

 

Stinging nettle: This is a type of herb, and its root may help with urine flow and waking up a lot at night to pee. It’s sometimes used along with other supplements to treat BPH symptoms.

 

Then there are the supplements where it’s just too early to know whether they’re useful. Early studies look good, but doctors need much more data on them.

 

Some of these include:

 

  • Aqueous garlic (garlic extract in water)
  • Flaxseed lignan extract
  • Milk thistle
  • Powdered, dried cranberry
  • Quercetin (found in apples, tea, and red grapes, for example)
  • Red clover

 

Selenium

 

Dietary polyphenols

Dietary polyphenols are complex chemicals that occur in certain foods, such as:

fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, chocolate and  wine.

Extracts and supplements containing dietary polyphenols have shown promise as potential treatments for BPH. According to a 2017 review, studies have indicated that:

 

  • Equol supplements, which have soybeans as their source, may suppress BPH
  • Supplements of lycopene, a pigment in tomatoes, may slow the progression of BPH
  • Flaxseed extract may reduce the symptoms of BPH and improve quality of life

 

Vitamin D

People with BPH have a higher likelihood of vitamin D deficiency. According to a 2013 review, increasing vitamin D intake may reduce the size and rate of growth of the prostate in people with BPH.

 

The Issue with Supplements

Supplements aren’t as closely regulated as medicines your doctor prescribes.

That means their quality, safety, and effects can vary. It’s best to talk to your doctor before you start any supplement. They may cause problems with prescription medicines, treatments, or tests you might need.

 

Diet and an enlarged prostate

The prostate gland is controlled by powerful hormones known as the sex hormones including testosterone. In the prostate gland, testosterone is converted to another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT cause the cells in the prostate to enlarge. Certain foods and beverages are known to have an impact on prostate health because of their effects on testosterone and other hormones. Research has found that a diet primarily consisting of meat or dairy products can increase the risk of prostate enlargement and cancer. This is especially true if a person does not incorporate enough vegetables into their diet.

 

Foods to eat

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is thought to protect the prostate.

 

Specific foods known to benefit the prostate include:

 

  • Salmon: Salmon is rich in healthy fats that contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent and reduce inflammation within the body. Other cold-water fish, such as sardines and trout, are also rich in these types of fats.

 

  • Tomatoes: Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, an antioxidant that may benefit prostate gland cells. Cooking tomatoes, such as in tomato sauce or soup, helps to release the lycopene and make it more readily available to the body.

 

  • Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are excellent sources of antioxidants, which help to remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals are the byproducts of reactions that occur within the body and can cause damage and disease over time.

 

  • Broccoli: Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, including bok choy, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, contain a chemical known as sulforaphane. This is thought to target cancer cells and promote a healthy prostate.

 

  • Nuts: Nuts are rich in zinc, a trace mineral. Zinc is found in high concentrations in the prostate and is thought to help balance testosterone and DHT. Besides nuts, shellfish and legumes are also high in zinc.

 

Citrus: Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are all high in vitamin C, which may help to protect the prostate gland.

 

  • Onions and garlic: One study found that men with BPH tended to eat less garlic and onions that men without BPH. More research is needed to confirm these results, but onions and garlic are healthful additions to most diets.

 

Also, some studieson plant extract therapies, such as an extract from a type of palm tree known as saw palmetto, have been shown to have a positive impact on the prostate size and urinary flow. More research is needed, however.

 

Foods to avoid

A healthful diet for an enlarged prostate is more than just eating good foods. It also means avoiding other types of foods that are not good for the prostate.

 

Some foods to avoid include:

 

  • Red meat: Research suggests that going red meat-free may help improve prostate health. In fact, daily meat consumption is believed to triple the risk of prostate enlargement.

 

  • Dairy: Similarly to meat, regular consumption of dairy has been linked to an increased risk of BPH. Cutting out or reducing butter, cheese, and milk may help reduce BPH symptoms.

 

  • Caffeine: Caffeine may act as a diuretic, which means that it increases how much, how often, and how urgently a person has to urinate. Cutting back on coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate may improve urinary symptoms of BPH.

 

  • Alcohol: Alcohol can also stimulate urine production. Men with BPH may find that their symptoms are improved by giving up alcohol.

 

  • Sodium: A high salt intake may increase the urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH. Following a low-sodium diet by not adding salt to meals and avoiding processed foods may be helpful for some men.

 

About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime

 

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer cells, and can then spread to other areas of the body. To learn more about cancer and how it starts and spreads, see What Is Cancer?Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control. The prostate is a gland found only in males. It makes some of the fluid that is part of semen.

The prostate is below the bladder (the hollow organ where urine is stored) and in front of the rectum (the last part of the intestines). Just behind the prostate are glands called seminal vesicles that make most of the fluid for semen.
The urethra, which is the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body through the penis, goes through the center of the prostate.

 

What Causes Prostate Cancer ?

Prostate cancer affects mainly older men. Six out of ten cases are diagnosed in men over 65, but less than 1% in men under 50. Though uncommon, prostate cancer can be seen in men even in their 30’s and 40’s. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are more likely to develop prostate cancer than the general population.

On a case-by-case basis, doctors cannot say with certainty what causes prostate cancer, but experts generally agree that diet contributes to the risk. Men who consume large amounts of fat — particularly from red meat and other sources of animal fat cooked at high heat —  may be more likely to develop advanced prostate cancer. The disease is much more common in countries where meat and dairy products are dietary staples than in countries where the basic diet consists of rice, soybean products, and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cole slaw, or sauerkraut.

The underlying factor linking diet and prostate cancer is probably hormonal. Fats stimulate increased production of testosterone and other hormones, and testosterone acts to speed the growth of prostate cancer. High testosterone levels may stimulate dormant prostate cancer cells into activity. Some findings suggest that high testosterone levels also influence the initial onset of prostate cancer. Welders, battery manufacturers, rubber workers, and workers frequently exposed to the metal cadmium seem to be abnormally vulnerable to prostate cancer.

The following are also associated with an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer: Height, high body mass index, low physical activity, smoking, low tomato sauce consumption, high calcium intake, high linoleic acid intake, African-American race, and a positive family history.

Who’s At Risk for Prostate Cancer?
Age

The thing that raises your odds of having prostate cancer the most is age. If you’re white and have no family history, your odds go up sharply at 50. If you’re black or you have a close relative with prostate cancer, they jump up at 40. About two-thirds of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men age 65 and older. But the older you are, the less aggressive the disease is, especially after 70.

Family History

Men whose relatives have had prostate cancer are considered to be at higher risk. Having a father or brother with the disease more than doubles your odds of having prostate cancer. Having a brother with prostate cancer appears to make it more likely than having an affected father does. Your chances go even higher when multiple family members are affected. Men with prostate cancer in their family should start getting screened at 40.

Studies have identified several inherited genes that appear to raise the risk of prostate cancer. Experts estimate that the hereditary form of prostate cancer accounts for just 5% to 10% of all cases

Race

Prostate cancer happens about 60% more often in African-American men than in white American men. And when it is diagnosed, the cancer is more likely to be advanced. But Japanese and African men living in their native countries have low rates of prostate cancer. Numbers for these groups rise sharply when the men immigrate to the U.S. African-Americans should begin prostate cancer tests at age 50.

Doctors don’t know why different races have different levels of prostate cancer, but they think things in the environment work together to make it more likely:

  • High-fat diets
  • Less time in the sun
  • Heavy metals like cadmium
  • Things that cause infection
  • Smoking.
Diet

Research also suggests high dietary fat may be linked to prostate cancer. Men in countries with a high-fat diet tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables. The disease is much more common in countries where meat and dairy products make up a lot of the diet, compared to those where the basic diet consists of rice, soybean products, and vegetables.

Obesity

Extra weight doesn’t seem to boost your risk of prostate cancer. But it could make you less likely to get a lower-grade type and more likely to get an aggressive form. Not all study results agree, but some research shows that obese men may have a greater chance of having more advanced prostate cancer and of dying from prostate cancer.

Sedentary Lifestyle

There haven’t been a lot of studies yet to figure out how closely linked a lack of physical activity is to prostate cancer, but it has been shown to play a role in other types, like colon and endometrial cancers. But since a lack of physical activity often goes with obesity and metabolic syndrome, there may be a link between it and prostate cancer, too.

 

Symptoms

Prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages.

Prostate cancer that’s more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:

  • Trouble urinating
  • Decreased force in the stream of urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Blood in the semen
  • Bone pain
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Erectile dysfunction
Complications

Complications of prostate cancer and its treatments include:

  • Cancer that spreads (metastasizes).Prostate cancer can spread to nearby organs, such as your bladder, or travel through your bloodstream or lymphatic system to your bones or other organs. Prostate cancer that spreads to the bones can cause pain and broken bones. Once prostate cancer has spread to other areas of the body, it may still respond to treatment and may be controlled, but it’s unlikely to be cured.
  • Both prostate cancer and its treatment can cause urinary incontinence. Treatment for incontinence depends on the type you have, how severe it is and the likelihood it will improve over time. Treatment options may include medications, catheters and surgery.
  • Erectile dysfunction.Erectile dysfunction can result from prostate cancer or its treatment, including surgery, radiation or hormone treatments. Medications, vacuum devices that assist in achieving erection and surgery are available to treat erectile dysfunction.
Treatment Of Prostate Cancer

Treatment  will depend on the cancer stage, among other factors, such as the Gleason score and PSA levels. It is also worth noting that many treatment options may be applicable, regardless of the stage of cancer.

In the sections below, we list some treatment options   for prostate cancer and explore what treatment may mean for fertility.

  • Chemotherapy: This option uses drugs to help stop the growth of cancer cells. While it can kill cancer cells around the body, it may cause  adverse effects.
  • Hormonal therapy: Androgens are male hormones. The main androgens are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Blocking or reducing   these hormones appears to stop or delay the growth of cancer cells. One option is to undergo surgery to remove the testicles, which produce most of the body’s hormones. Various drugs can also help.
  • Immunotherapy: This method uses a person’s immune system to help fight cancer. Scientists can use substances the body produces, or create them in a lab, to help boost or restore the body’s natural defenses against cancer.
  • Targeted therapy: This method uses drugs or other substances that identify and attack specific cancer cells. For example, a 2021 study highlights a radiopharmaceutical   option that may be effective for hard-to-treat forms of advanced prostate cancer
Stages Of Prostate Cancer

Staging typically describes how much cancer is present in the body and how serious the cancer is. Knowing the stage of prostate cancer can help a person understand what to expect and will inform decisions about treatment.

Cancer staging is complex and accounts for many different factors. Usually, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. Stages may include:

  • Stage I: Cancer is only present in the prostate gland.
  • Stage II: Cancer has not yet spread from the prostate, but a person will have a higher PSA level.
  • Stage III: The cancer may have spread to nearby tissues.
  • Stage IV: Cancer may have spread to distant parts of the body.

 

Prostate Cancer Prevention
Healthy Food

A diet that helps you stay at a healthy weight may cut your chances of having prostate cancer. These steps can help:

  • Choose whole-grain breads, pasta, and cereals over refined grain products.
  • Cut back on red meats, especially processed meats such as hot dogs, bologna, and certain lunch meats
  • Eat at least 2½ cups of fruits and vegetables each day

Antioxidants in foods, especially in fruits and vegetables, help prevent damage to the DNA in the body’s cells. Such damage has been linked to cancer. Lycopene, in particular, is an antioxidant that has been thought to lower the risk of prostate cancer. It can be found in foods such as:

  • Tomatoes — both raw and cooked
  • Pink and red grapefruit
  • Watermelon
  • Guava
  • Papaya

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