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Prostate cancer prevention: What you can do
Drugs to prevent prostate cancer
Current research does not support the routine use of any drug to prevent prostate cancer, but several medications show potential benefits, including statins, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Researchers are also studying certain drugs that affect testosterone levels. While these medications may help prevent prostate cancer, they can also cause side effects and are not generally recommended for routine use in preventing prostate cancer.
Selenium and vitamin E
Some nutrition research had suggested that daily doses of the mineral selenium, vitamin E or both may have helped to prevent prostate cancer. But further study has shown these supplements have no effect on prostate cancer. In some cases, these supplements may cause side effects or lead to other health conditions.
Before using any supplement, talk with your doctor. This is particularly important if you're taking other over-the-counter or prescription medications. Taking vitamins, herbal medicines or nutritional supplements can pose health risks, especially in high doses. Some may even increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer risk: A common-sense perspective
Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer. Even so, prostate cancer affects far more men than it eventually kills. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 6 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Yet only 1 in 35 men in the U.S. will die of the disease.
Why does the number of prostate cancer cases exceed the number of deaths by such a large ratio? One answer is that prostate cancer generally progresses more slowly than many other types of cancer. Many men live with it for years. Many survive disease-free after treatment. And others refrain from treatment while closely monitoring the cancer's progression — an approach known as "watchful waiting."
To keep your risks in perspective, stay in regular contact with your doctor about your prostate health. Ask about prevention strategies that make the most sense for you, given your current health and medical history.
An annual prostate checkup can't reduce your risk of cancer, as perhaps a healthy diet and exercise can. But if prostate cancer does develop, a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test may discover the problem in its earliest stage, when treatment can be most effective.
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- Gong Z, et al. Alcohol consumption, finasteride and prostate cancer risk. Cancer. 2009;115:3661.
- Review of prostate cancer prevention study shows no benefit for use of selenium and vitamin E supplements. National Institutes of Health. http://www.nih.gov/news/health/oct2008/nci-27.htm. Accessed Aug. 20, 2009.
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