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| Prof. Oladapo Ashiru |
Oladapo Ashiru
Did you know that every hour one man
dies from prostate cancer – that is more than 10,000 every year. Over
40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. It means that
more than 100 men are diagnosed every day.
It is estimated that by 2030, prostate
cancer will be the most common cancer in the world. One in eight men
will be afflicted with prostate cancer.
It was reported in 2014 that in the
United Kingdom about one in eight men will develop it at some point in
their lives, with older men and those with a family history of prostate
cancer most at risk.
In Nigeria, every now and then you hear
of someone who just died of prostate cancer. This disease occurs most
frequently in elderly men of 72 years and above.
Although we are not keeping statistics
for the number of new cases and deaths in Nigeria for this preventable
disease, the American example is relevant for us because there are
significant racial differences that are negative for the African male.
For example, for the African American
male aged between 50 and 54 years, the incidence of prostate cancer is
two times as high as the Caucasian American and it is one third higher
for the African American of all ages.
For all Asian men, the incidence of this
type of cancer is relatively low. It is not known what causes this
racial difference, but genetics must surely play a part.
Diet is another factor that cannot be
ruled out as African American food closely mimics many Nigerian diets of
pork, beans and greens cooked with plenty of oil and fat. This is,
therefore, a Black man’s disease that Nigerian men should be concerned
about.
The prostate gland is a walnut-sized
organ located under the bladder, surrounding the urinary tract of men.
It secretes a fluid that forms part of the seminal fluid, which is part
of the semen produced at ejaculation after intercourse.
Prostate cancer is primarily a disease
of the aged. So as men age, they should take note of the following
symptoms and if they have them, they should definitely pay a visit to a
doctor.
Slow urination: Men should take this
symptom seriously, especially when the last few drops do not expel
easily. You should also let the doctor check you out if you notice any
change in urination as described below:
Frequent urination is another symptom of prostate cancer. Other symptoms include:
- Nocturia, which is passing urine in the night.
- Difficulty in passing urine, termed Hesitancy.
- Reduced force of urination.
- Reduced projectile pressure of urine (ejaculatory pressure).
- Blood in the urine.
What causes the prostate to enlarge
Aging, stress, chemical toxins that may
be from the use of chemical products like dye, polluted water, and
contaminated food, especially with heavy metals; genetics and infection
have been identified as some of the factors that can lead to the
enlargement of the prostate gland. With aging, there are hormonal
changes associated with getting older, such as decreased production of
the male testosterone, prolactin ad stress- related hormone will
increase with age.
High prolactin level in the blood will
lead to an increase in the uptake of testosterone in the prostate gland,
which will result in the production of another male hormone called
Di-Hydro-testoterone.
High levels of DHT in the prostate gland
will enlarge the prostate. A stressful lifestyle also does not help the
prostate. This will usually cause an increase in the level of
circulating prolactin hormone.
The net result is elevated DHT and
subsequent prostate enlargement. Prostate cancer is highly related to
genetic factors, if one of the families has had prostate cancer, it is
highly likely that other male members of the family will get it.
Frequent exposure to pesticides used on food crops and those used in our homes can expose men to cancer.
We also eat crops which contain
pesticide that contain the chemical polychlorinated hydrocarbon, which
accumulates in organs like the adrenals, the liver and the prostate and
then, become diseased.
Cancerous toxins also exist in some food
products, such as fruits and vegetables, large fish and stock fish from
polluted fish farms.
Apart from narrowing the urethral
passage and reducing sperm count, frequent sexually transmitted diseases
from sexually active men may lead to prostate enlargement or cancer.
Eating a diet full of saturated fats and
red meat is said to be bad for the prostate as is smoking cigarettes
and drinking alcohol.
Tobacco contains cadmium, which is a
heavy metal that increases the activities of 5-alpha reductase enzyme.
The enzyme converts testosterone to the active form called DHT, which is
responsible for the abnormal enlargement of the prostate gland.
Alcohol increases the level of the
prolactin hormone. This will increase the level of testosterone intake
by the prostate gland, which eventually leads to its enlargement.
How to prevent prostate problems
Early diagnosis by rectal examination at
the doctor’s clinic can be very helpful in detecting prostate
enlargement. More recently, a very sensitive test has been put in place
for early detection of prostate enlargement by checking the level of a
substance called Prostate Specific Antigen, which can give an indication
of an overactive prostate.
High PSA levels might give a clue to
likely prostate problems. It is recommended that one should have a
medical examination annually to rule out prostate enlargement.
Men are advised to take multivitamins
that contain extra zinc along with Vitamins C, D and E, which are rich
in antioxidants. Zinc is good for the prostrate because it is required
in the normal functioning of the gland. Prostate secretion contains a
high quantity of zinc.
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