Prostate Cancer Information and Statistics
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 240,000 new cases will be diagnosed and more than 28,000 men will die from prostate cancer in the US in 2012 alone. As such, it is considered to be the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men. Experts further estimated that one in every six American males will be diagnosed with this condition during his lifetime. In Australia, about 20,000 new cases are diagnosed and more than 3,300 men die every year as a result of the disease.
While experts are still trying to find the exact cause of this condition, it was observed that old age, obesity, a family history of the disease and race seem to play an important role in the development of the disease.
Age. Prostate cancer is more commonly diagnosed in older men, especially those who are above 65 years of age. It is rarely diagnosed in men who are aged 40 and below.
Obesity. According to the results of a research published in the February 2007 issue of the journal Cancer, a higher body mass index (BMI) and significant weight gain during adulthood can increase a man’s risk of dying from prostate cancer.
Heredity. You will be more at risk of developing prostate cancer if you have family members who are suffering from the same condition.
Race. Experts observed that American Africans are more susceptible to the disease. It was also noted that the type of prostate cancer that affects them is way more aggressive and more advanced as compared to the type that affects all other races.
Among the complications that may arise from prostate cancer and its treatments may include urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. If left undetected and/or untreated, the cancer cells may spread to nearby organs and may cause kidney troubles or weaken your bones.
Eat Broccoli to Reduce Your Risk of Prostate Cancer
For all of you who are currently into the Mediterranean diet and for those who are about to make the switch, here’s another reason why the Mediterranean diet can be good for you. The Mediterranean way of eating can help reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer, especially if you add a lot of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables into your diet!
According to a report published in the Public Library of Science, eating one or more servings of broccoli per week can reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer. To understand the underlying mechanisms by which broccoli reduces prostate cancer risks, researchers at the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, United Kingdom, recruited 22 men who are at risk of developing the condition. The group was then divided into two and the volunteers were either assigned on a broccoli-rich diet or a pea-rich diet.
Significant changes in the GSTM1 gene expression of those who were on a broccoli-rich diet was observed after six months. Experts believe that such changes result in reducing inflammation and carcinogenesis (the transformation of otherwise normal cells into cancer cells) in the prostate.
Now, do you know why you should add more cruciferous vegetables into your Mediterranean diet? They are definitely good for your prostate so start using them more frequently in preparing your dishes. I assure you, you’ll be thrilled with the results!
I hope you learned something of value in today’s post and if you are NOT registered for these regular tips you can so at my sign-up page for the Mediterranean diet.
Here’s to your health,
Ray Baker