and the patient will decide on the treatment mode after
considering many factors. For example, the patient’s
age, the stage of the disease, his general health, and the
presence of any co-existing illnesses have to be consid-
ered. In addition, the patient’s personal preferences
and the risks and benefits of each treatment protocol
are also taken into account before any decision is
made.
BPH
A class of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers,
which includes phenoxybenzamine and doxazosin,
relax the muscle tissue surrounding the bladder outlet
and lining the wall of the urethra to permit urine to
flow more freely. These drugs improve obstructive
symptoms, but do not keep the prostate from enlarg-
ing. Other drugs, such as finasteride (Proscar) and
dutasteride (Avodart) may stop prostate enlargement
or even shrink the prostate. Symptoms may not, how-
ever, improve until the drug has been used for three
months or longer. Another class of drugs, called
alpha-blockers, such as terazosin (Hytrin) and tamsu-
losin (Flomax), relax the muscles in the prostate and
may relieve symptoms. However, they do not shrink
the prostate. When drugs fail to control the symptoms
of BPH, surgery may be required.
Nutrition/Dietetic concerns
There are no known nutritional or dietetic con-
cerns that play a role in prostate health or prostate
conditions, such as cancer or BPH. In alternative
medicine, saw palmetto, a dietary supplement usually
sole in capsule form, is used to promote prostate
health and to treat BPH.
Therapy
A diet low in fat may slow the progression of
prostate cancer. Hence, in order to reduce the risk of
prostrate cancer, the American Cancer Society recom-
mends a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and dietaryfiber,
and low in red meat and saturatedfats.Intakeoflyco-
pene, which is found in cooked tomatoes or tomato
sauce, is also thought to help reduce the risk of prostate
cancer. There is no known therapy for BPH.
Prognosis
Prostate cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, the
survival rate for all stages of prostate cancer combined
has increased from 50% to 87% over the last 30 years.
Due to early detection and better screening methods,
nearly 60% of the tumors are diagnosed while they are
still confined to the prostate gland. The five-year sur-
vival rate for early stage cancers is almost 99 percent.
Sixty-three percent of the patients survive 10 years,
and 51% survive 15 years after initial diagnosis.BPH
In a man without symptoms whose prostate is
enlarged, it is hard to predict when urinary symptoms
will develop and how rapidly they will progress. For
this reasons some specialists (urologists) advise a
period of ‘‘watchful waiting.’’ When BPH is treated
by medication, symptoms are usually relieved and the
man’s quality of life will be enhanced.PreventionProstate cancer
Because the cause of the cancer is not known,
there is no definite way to prevent prostate cancer.
However, the American Cancer Society recommends
that all men over age 40 have an annual rectal exam
and that men have an annual PSA test beginning at
age 50. Those who have a higher than average risk,
including African American men and men with a fam-
ily history of prostate cancer, should begin annual
PSA testing even earlier, starting at age 45.BPH
Whether or not BPH is caused by hormonal
changes in aging men, there is no known way of pre-
venting it. Once it does develop and symptoms are
present that interfere seriously with the patient’s life,
timely medical or surgical treatment will reliably pre-
vent symptoms from getting worse. Also, if the con-
dition is treated before the prostate has become
grossly enlarged, the risk of complications is minimal.
One of the potentially most serious complications of
BPH, urinary infection (and possible infection of the
kidneys), can be prevented by using a catheter to drain
excess urine out of the bladder so that it does not
collect, stagnate, and become infected.Resources
BOOKS
American Cancer Society.American Cancer Society’s Com-
plete Guide to Prostate CancerOklahoma City: Ameri-
can Cancer Society, 2004.
Ricketts, David.Eat to Beat Prostate Cancer CookbookNew
York: STC Healthy Living, 2006.
Scardino, Peter, and Judith Kelman.Dr. Peter Scardino’s
Prostate Book: The Complete Guide to OvercomingProstate