Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

There is some research that suggests a diet rich in
soyproducts, berries, sunflower seeds, and peanuts
can contribute to prostate health, according to the
AmericanCancerSociety. The mineralzinchas also
shown beneficial properties for the prostate. Natural
sources of zinc include pumpkin, sesame, and sun-
flower seeds, some nuts (almonds, cashews, Brazil,
and walnuts), leafy lettuce, and whole oats, and onions.
Zinc supplements are also available in health food
stores, pharmacies, and some supermarkets.

Demographics
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among
men in the United States, and is the second leading
cause of cancer deaths. The National Cancer Institute
estimates that in 2007, 218,890 new cases of prostate
cancer will be diagnosed, and it will cause 27,050
deaths. One in six men in the United States will be
diagnosed with prostate cancer. Age is the main risk
factor for prostate cancer. It is rarely seen in men
younger than 45. The chance of getting it increases as

a man ages. Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer

are older than 65. A man’s risk is higher if his father or

brother had prostate cancer. Prostate cancer affects

African American men about twice as often as it does

Caucasian men, and the mortality rate among African

Americans is also higher. African Americans have the

highest rate of prostate cancer in the world.

BPH

BPH is often part of the aging process. The actual

changes in the prostate may start as early as the 30s but

take place very gradually, so that significant enlarge-

ment and symptoms usually do not appear until after

age 50. Past this age the chances of the prostate enlarg-

ing and causing urinary symptoms become progres-

sively greater. More than 40% of men in their 70s have

an enlarged prostate. Symptoms generally appear

between the ages of 55 and 75. About 10% of all men

eventually will require treatment for BPH. The con-

dition is viewed as rare in African Americans, but this

finding may partly be due to the fact that black

patients may have less access to medical care. The

An enlarged prostate is a non-cancerous condition in which the narrowing of the urethra makes the elimination of urine more
difficult. It most often occurs in men over age 50.(Illustration by Electronic Illustrators Group/Thomson Gale.)

Prostate