Last week we gave a broad introduction to how prostate cancer affects men and specifically the incidence of prostate cancer in South Africa. We also presented some factors associated with the rising incidence of prostate cancer around the world. Although some of those factors are genetic, most are lifestyle related, and thus amenable to interventions that can reduce the risk.
Over the years, I have followed with interest the research studies that have looked at lifestyle factors associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer in the first place, but then also the slowing or even reversal of prostate cancer in those already affected. I am particularly interested in this as my own father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although he succumbed from Alzheimer’s and pneumonia, I am acutely aware of the genetic factor that increases my risk.
ALSO READ: Turning the Tide – Prostate cancer: questions and answers
One bit of research that was particularly exciting was a study reported in 2008, emanating from the University of California. Dr Dean Ornish, professor of medicine and the doyen of lifestyle medicine reversal of heart disease, and Dr Peter Carroll, professor of urological cancer, together with associates, presented conclusive evidence that fairly rigorous lifestyle interventions resulted in genetic modulation. Forty-eight genes were up-regulated and 453 genes down-regulated within the space of just 3 months. These changes affected the behaviour of cancer cells by reducing their growth and metastatic potential. This is the first time that studies have shown lifestyle changes work at the level of gene expression. It would be interesting to see long term follow-up studies. What was also interesting is that the more compliant the men were with the interventions, the better the outcome.
So what do these studies all suggest for interventions to prevent prostate cancer, and to slow or even reverse the growth of prostate cancer?
- A diet rich in plant foods – fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes (bean family) with some seeds and nuts
- Substitution of dairy with soy products – soy milk instead of cow’s milk; tofu instead of cheese
- Reduction of fat intake, particularly animal fat
- Minimal use of eggs
- Regular exercise – up to 30 minutes 6 days per week – walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, gym workouts, etc
- Stress reduction through meditation, prayer, spiritual exercises, deep breathing, dealing with stressful events through positive interventions
Here is a review article from Harvard University on various studies that have been done on the role of lifestyle medicine in the control and reversal of prostate cancer.
Here is another very comprehensive report from NutritionFacts.org with reports from a number of studies both in patients with low grade prostate cancer, as well as those with metastatic disease. It also covers studies that showed that certain diets and lifestyles can prevent prostate cancer in the first place.
Once again, lifestyle changes that we have been suggesting over the last 100+ blogs reinforce the message that you can impact your health dramatically and comprehensively to reduce so many of the scourges of modern living. What is helpful is that you don’t have to use different interventions for different diseases. The same interventions that reverse or slow heart disease, also are equally effective for preventing Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, high blood pressure and now some of the common cancers – like breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer amongst others. Experts suggest that 90% of cancers can be prevented by lifestyle interventions and elimination of environmental factors such as smoking and pollution. Here is an easy to read article on cancer in South Africa and being overweight.
Please feel free to contact me for practical information about how to implement lifestyle changes.
Stay safe.
Dave Glass
Dr David Glass graduated from UCT in 1975. He spent the next 12 years working at a mission hospital in Lesotho, where much of his work involved health education and interventions to improve health, aside from the normal busy clinical work of an under-resourced mission hospital.
He returned to UCT in 1990 to specialise in obstetrics/gynaecology and then moved to the South Coast where he had the privilege of, amongst other things, ushering 7000 babies into the world. He no longer delivers babies but is still very clinically active in gynaecology.
An old passion, preventive health care, has now replaced the obstetrics side of his work. He is eager to share insights he has gathered over the years on how to prevent and reverse so many of the modern scourges of lifestyle – obesity, diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, common cancers, etc.
He is a family man, with a supportive wife, and two grown children, and four beautiful grandchildren. His hobbies include walking, cycling, vegetable gardening, bird-watching, travelling and writing. He is active in community health outreach and deeply involved in church activities. He enjoys teaching and sharing information.
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