Bad news on one side, for all the guys that will join the damn club (and the trends say their age is lowering as well....I am an example actually!).
On the other side we can hope for an increase of effort to solve the problem, at least for prostate, breast, lung and colorectal cancers, which are quite widespread.
I wish it was that way only. What you mention surely contributes, but the fact that the average age of patients is getting lower and there is an increase of guys diagnosed when already at stage 4 are due to something else I am afraid.
Here they recommend starting an annual screening when you are 50 unless you had close relatives that had PCa (not my case), in that case they suggest 45. Talking to my geneticist she was complaining that nowadays 45 should be the standard, and 35 for people (like me) with a HRR mutation. Also colorectal cancer in young people is increasing.
While we can attribute some of the detection to better methods, it fails to address all of the increase. As well, the age line is moving downward just as it is with many cancers. Looking at lifestyle changes throughout the world - these include activity levels, diet, stresses of modern life, etc. - it doesn't take much to conclude that not everything that has made life easier is healthful. Looking at the Blue Zones give insight into this. I adopted this lifestyle during the time I was diagnosed 6 years ago. My doctors all note that it has assisted me with having little in the way of side effects and having great response to treatment. ---- My purpose in many ways now is to be a sort of "ambassador" in talking with men in their 40s and 50s of the importance of having checkups, and for more than just Prostate Cancer. One man I spoke to didn't feel it was important for him at 45 and about 6 months later he talked to me about his brother who is 47 was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Now he pays attention and comes to the group I am in locally.
Why do other societies have much lower prostate cancer, for example, Japan? What is the effect of diet and exercise? What can a man do to lower his risk of prostate cancer?
ChatGPT
The variation in prostate cancer rates across different societies, such as the lower rates observed in Japan compared to Western countries, is believed to be influenced by a combination of factors, including diet, lifestyle, genetic predispositions, and environmental exposures. Diet and lifestyle play significant roles in the risk of developing prostate cancer. Here’s how they contribute and what can be done to lower the risk potentially:
Diet
Differences:
• Western Diet: Typically high in red meat, processed foods, and saturated fats, which have been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer.
• Japanese Diet: Traditionally includes more fish, soy products, vegetables, and green tea. It's lower in red meat and high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, possibly contributing to the lower incidence of prostate cancer.
Recommendations to Lower Risk:
• Increase Plant-Based Food Intake: Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes into your diet. These foods are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help reduce cancer risk.
• Consume Healthy Fats: Include sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.
• Limit Red and Processed Meats: Reducing consumption of these meats can lower the risk of prostate and other types of cancer.
• Soy Products: Foods rich in phytoestrogens, like soybeans, tofu, and miso, are common in Asian diets and may help reduce the risk.
• Green Tea: Green tea is high in antioxidants, and some studies have linked it to a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Exercise
Differences:
• Activity Levels: Societies with lower rates of prostate cancer often have higher levels of physical activity, both in daily life and through structured exercise.
Recommendations to Lower Risk:
• Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise weekly. Physical activity can help manage weight, reduce inflammation, and improve hormone levels, all of which may contribute to reduced cancer risk.
Weight Management
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity is a risk factor for many types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help reduce this risk.
Additional Tips
• Regular Screenings: Early detection of prostate cancer through regular screenings (PSA tests and digital rectal exams) can help manage risks and outcomes, especially for those with a family history of the disease.
• Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking: These factors can contribute to an increased risk of various cancers, including prostate cancer.
Implementing these dietary and lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer and promote overall health. However, it’s important to note that genetics and environmental factors also play a role, and not all cases of prostate cancer can be prevented through lifestyle changes alone. Consulting with healthcare providers for personalized advice and regular check-ups is also crucial.
Both my grandfather and father where diagnosed with prostate cancer in their late 60's. They caught it early and had their prostates removed. Grandfather died in his 90's of Alzheimer's and father is still alive with undetectable PSA.
I was diagnosed at 52 with metastatic prostate cancer spread to bones. I have always worked outdoors and lived a healthy lifestyle. I had no idea of the seriousness of this disease and apparently my family doctor didn't either. I was never given a PSA test until I complained about pain in my groin. The doctor then diagnosed me with BHP and gave me antibiotics. Old school doctor didn't believe in PSA testing.
On one side cases will increase because of better diagnoses and also because we simply live longer! But the other side of the medal is that we are exposed to many cancer promoting factors. For example shift workers are more exposed to prostate and breast cancers due to changes in their circadian rhythm, it’s statistically proven. If you add some hyper processed food and some bad genes to this mix, it can only go worse!
But wait! Could it be that the increase they are expecting is based on the idiocy being promoted and promulgated by the US Urological Associations? I wish this were just some nutcase promoting this nonsense but its coming from high circles in the Urology mainstream. I guess one way to 'reduce' PCa (prostate cancer) cases is the 'Ostridge' surveillance method. Just put your head in the sand and hope PCa passes you by! Absurd. Here is what I wrote about this craziness...
If you have boys and if they are coming of age GET THEM CHECKED...this disease is totally beatable if its caught early...if you get it before it leaves the prostate. It gives you (and your loved ones) the best chance for cure WITH a good QoL. What the medical establishment in the USA is proposing is lunacy. It wont happen in my house...Rick
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