Prostate Cancer and Natural Medicine

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia can also be caused by prostatic cancer, though they are far more likely to be due to benign overgrowth. Men with BPH do not have a higher incidence of prostate cancer (Coley 1997). The relatively high rate of prostate cancer in the general population, however, requires that an accurate diagnosis be made. One in 5 men (20%) has a lifetime probability of being diagnosed with this cancer. Over 40,000 men die of prostate cancer each year, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in the U. S. for men (Wingo, 1995). Ironically, at least 1/3 of these cancers might be avoided if men made some healthy dietary choices, especially eliminating red meat and most animal fat from the diet and increasing fruit and vegetable intake (Willett, 1995). A published review study of existing data on prostate cancer patients showed that for those with metastatic prostate cancer (stage D2), a statistically-relevant association occurred with a healthier diet, longer survival and improved quality of life (Carter et al, 1993).