To date, there is no evidence that prostate cancer can be prevented. However, there are some things you can do that may lower your risk.
A low-fat diet that consists primarily of vegetables, fruits, and grains may help reduce your risk for prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends limiting high-fat foods from animal sources. Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Healthy food choices also include bread, cereals, rice, pasta, and beans.
Substances called antioxidants help prevent damage to DNA and, as a result, may lower your risk of prostate cancer. Lycopenes, in particular, are antioxidants that have been linked to lower risk of prostate cancer. They are found in foods like tomatoes (raw or cooked), grapefruits, and watermelons. The American Cancer Society recommends that vitamin supplements be used with caution, avoiding excessive doses.
In some hospitals, there are clinical trials underway looking at various “chemoprevention” protocols designed to lower the prostate cancer risk. It is too soon to know if any of these interventions will have an impact on the development of prostate cancer.
Screening guidelines
Not all medical institutions and advocacy groups agree on when men should be routinely tested, or “screened,” for prostate cancer. Even though the PSA test is often billed as a simple blood test that can detect cancer early and save men’s lives, there is little unquestionable evidence that the PSA test really does save lives. Opponents of the test further argue that without a clear-cut benefit, screening isn’t worth the risk because treatment carries a risk of serious side effects, such as impotence and incontinence.
The American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association currently recommend that health care providers:
- Offer PSA testing and digital rectal exams every year to all men beginning after age 50.
- Begin testing men at the age of 45 if they are at high risk, such as African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
Most U.S. government agencies—the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force—do not recommend widespread screening though they agree it should be offered to those who want it.
The American Medical Association recommends simply that doctors inform their patients about the pros and cons of screening and leave the decision to them.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 2/15/2004…#8458
