Prostate cancer – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Tuesday, June 19, 2018 by Carol Anderson

Prostate cancer is a condition among men in which the cells found in the prostate gland begin to grow uncontrollably and form tumor/s. Experts have not identified the exact cause of this disease, but it has been linked to genetics, a family history of prostate cancer, high-fat diet, and high levels of plasma testosterone.

The disease is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in Western countries and can be aggressive. It appears that prostate cancer is more common among African-American twice as much than white men.

Known symptoms, risk factors for prostate cancer

There are risk factors that may predispose a person to prostate cancer, such as:

Age – Although prostate cancer occurs in young me, 60 percent of reported cases were among those aged 65 and above.
Family history – Men who have relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer are at risk of developing it twice as much than those with no family history. The risk goes up depending on the number of relatives affected.
Genetics – Mutations of what is called BRCA2 increases the risk of developing the disease.
Race, ethnicity, or nationality – As mentioned above, African-American are more prone to prostate cancer than any other world population group. Asian and Hispanic men are less likely to develop it.

If a person is suffering from the disease, he may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

Frequent urges to urinate both day and night
Weak flow of urine
Difficulty in urinating
Urinary retention
Difficulty in controlling urges to urinate
Pain during urination
Pain on the lower abdomen, lower back, hips, or thighs
Blood in urine or semen

Body systems affected by prostate cancer

Some of the complications that occur due to prostate cancer are:

Erectile dysfunction – Nerves controlling erections, which are found near the prostate gland may be affected by the disease. In this case, men may have a hard time sustaining or obtaining an erection.
Urinary incontinence – Men may lose control of their bladder due to prostate cancer. This causes leaks or difficulty to control or suppress urine from flowing.
Metastasis – In more advanced cases of prostate cancer, there’s a possibility for the cancel cells to spread the disease to other parts of the body – bone and spinal cord. It can also affect organs, such as the bladder.
Death – In the U.S. and western Europe, prostate cancer is the top two leading cause of death among men.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent or relieve prostate cancer

Whether the goal is to get rid of prostate cancer or prevent it, it’s advisable to add these foods to men’s diet to help them protect their bodies from carcinogens.

Fish – Those that contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, are great at reducing prostate cancer risks.
Fruits – Since fruits are rich in nutrients, they’re known to protect against different types of cancer, including prostate. Pectin, a fiber found in apples and other citrus fruits, may reduce the number of cancerous cells in the body.
Green tea and soy – Although experts are still exploring the link between these two and prostate cancer, green tea and soy have shown promise in laboratory researches.
Tomatoes – Previous studied hinted that lycopene has the ability to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, and may deter the possibility of cancer cells to metastasize. Tomatoes are known as one of the greatest sources of this nutrient.
Vegetables – Research found that a fiber-rich diet may slow down the development of prostate cancer. Foods like broccoli and cauliflower are highly recommended.

Treatment and management options for prostate cancer

Treatment varies on the severity of prostate cancer that’s why a medical check-up is advised. At times, experts do not recommend any medication since the disease progresses really slowly. However, certain lifestyle changes may be beneficial to patients diagnosed with the condition.

Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce risks. It is also said that green tea, garlic, and milk thistle can help combat the illness.

Where to learn more

Summary

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men in the U.S. It is caused by the abnormal increase and/growth of cells in the prostate gland which eventually form tumor/s. Men suffering from this may have difficulty in urinating and may feel a burning sensation. Blood in the urine and semen are also signs of prostate cancer.

Factors such as age, race, family history, and genetics play a role in the development of prostate cancer. Once it develops, it has a tendency to cause erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, cancer cells to metastasize, or worse, death.

Experts advise the consumption of a healthy diet which contains fish, fruits, tomatoes, vegetables, and even green tea and soy to help rid off or prevent prostate cancer. In terms of treatments, it depends on the case. However, many recommend a change in lifestyle and opting for healthier options.

Sources include:

Medical-Dictionary.TheFreeDictionary.com

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