Can Diet Make Prostate Cancer More Aggressive?
Many of the estimated 180,000 American men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the coming year will hear the relatively good news that their cancer is considered relatively low in the aggression department. That could mean the ability to avoid treatments for some or the option to choose treatments that are less likely to expose men to side effect risks. Not every man, however, will find their form of prostate-cancer is non-aggressive. Keep in mind that while this disease is known to be rather slow growing in some cases, that is simply not always so. An estimated 26,000 American men do die from this disease annually.
Researchers believe they may have shed light on a possible connection between diet and the aggressiveness of prostate-cancer. A recent study involving nearly 2,000 men in the American south took a look at men diagnosed with prostate-cancer, their eating habits and the aggressiveness of prostate cancer diagnosed. The study ultimately found a link between a higher intake of saturated fat and aggressive prostate-cancer. On a side note, researchers also found that in men who took statins the link was somewhat reduced. That finding may suggest that statins can reduce, but not completely eliminate the impacts high amounts of saturated fats can have on prostatecancer.
The study offers hope for men who are working to help themselves prevent prostatecancer by lowering their personal risks. While cutting down on saturated fats may not completely remove prostatecancer risks, it could very well lower the chances of more aggressive and potentially deadly forms of the disease developing.
All men are at risk for the development of prostatecancer over the course of their lifetimes. While the disease is more common among men of African American descent, it is also regularly diagnosed in white males and to a lesser degree Asians. Preventing prostatecancer may not always be possible, but there are a few measures men can take to help themselves. Here are a few risk factors men do have some control over:
- Obesity – This risk factor may play a role in the development of more aggressive forms of prostatecancer. With that in mind, it is recommended men who are overweight take steps to shed pounds.
- Smoking – A direct link between the two has not been confirmed, but some studies do indicate smoking can increase death risks if prostatecancer develops.
- Diet – As the most recent study suggests, high-fat diets may increase risks for aggressive prostate cancer. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is recommended.