Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

Although one cannot change the genetic factors associated with prostate cancer, men can take several preventative measures that may reduce their risk of getting the disease.  Many studies are looking at whether changes in diet and lifestyle can reduce occurrence of the disease. Because a high-fat diet is thought to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, a low-fat diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables is now believed to be good for prostate health, especially when combined with exercise and stress reduction.

Other dietary changes or supplements that may prevent prostate cancer include cooked tomatoes, which contain lycopenes, soy protein, green tea, vitamin D, vitamin E, and selenium.  Several other trials of drugs that prevent disease are ongoing. The NIH-sponsored trial of finasteride (Proscar) showed a 25 percent reduction in prostate cancer risk, but those patients who did develop prostate cancer while on finasteride had a 25 percent increase in the more aggressive type of cancers. COX-2 inhibitors (non-steroidals) like Vioxx have also shown potential anti-cancer properties such as inhibiting cell growth, angiogenesis (developing blood vessels from neighboring tissue), apoptosis (programmed cell death), and invasiveness; these COX-2 inhibitors are also under study.