Prostate Cancer Canada

About the Prostate

For more information visit
www.movember.com

In The News

Prostate Cancer Awareness Day at BC Legislative Assembly
VICTORIA, May 4, 2012- On Monday, May 7, Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) will host their first Legislative Assembly Day to promote education and awareness of prostate cancer in British Columbia.

Media Advisory - Prostate Cancer Canada celebrates local Halifax hero
HALIFAX, April 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Please join Prostate Cancer Canada and members of the Halifax business community as we celebrate a local hero who has made an extraordinary contribution in the fight against prostate cancer through courage, inspiration and dedication.

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Prevention

A growing body of evidence suggests that certain vitamins and minerals may protect against prostate cancer and/or slow its progression. Diets high in these vitamins and minerals are associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. However, it is not yet clear whether taking supplements in pill form can reduce the risk. The best way to increase vitamin and mineral intake is by eating a wide variety of healthy foods.

Some vitamins and minerals that are popularly linked with images of health and wellness have no effect on prostate cancer and too much of even a “good thing” can be bad. Please do not take large doses of vitamins or minerals without talking to your doctor.

Use the information below to learn more about garlic, soy and other cancer fighters.

Hormone Therapy as a Preventative Strategy

The male hormone testosterone is made in the testicles. In the prostate, an enzyme (5-alpha-reductase) converts testosterone to a more powerful hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Both these hormones are important in the growth and development of normal prostate cells and prostate cancer cells, so reducing the levels of testosterone and DHT may protect against prostate cancer.

Unfortunately, there are significant side effects to reducing the levels of these hormones including impotence, loss of interest in sex and loss of muscle and bone mass.

A new class of drugs has recently been developed which can stop the enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT. It is hoped this will reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Garlic

Garlic extracts have been shown to decrease the growth of prostate cancer cells in the laboratory. However, the extracts used were taken from fermented garlic and are not present in fresh garlic.

In humans, there is preliminary data suggesting that garlic (as well as other plants in the same family, such as onions, leeks and scallions) may reduce the risk of various types of cancer, including prostate cancer. However, more studies must be done before any recommendations can be made.

Green Tea

Prostate cancer is much less common in Asian countries. In addition to their low fat diets, many studies show that green tea may also protect the prostate. Green tea – the most popular tea in China, Japan and other Asian countries, is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage. In a number of recent studies it has been suggested that green tea has anti-tumour effects.

Soy

Research has shown that eating soy can protect you from cancer. This is probably because soy is rich in compounds called Isoflavones which are strong antioxidants that protect cells against damage and inhibit tumour growth.

There is evidence that one type of Isoflavone in particular, genistein, can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer. This may be one reason why those who have a high intake of soy, have a relatively low risk of prostate cancer.

ATTENTION REGARDING SELENIUM

The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) trial has ceased as of October 28, 2008 following a report from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The US federal government-funded study of 35,000 men was prematurely stopped when doctors feared the participants may be harmed by the Vitamin E and selenium doses.

The trial is being terminated over a disproportionably high incidence in prostate cancer in participants in the trial who were taking selenium-only pills. The NCI states that this could be a coincidence and that selenium may not be the culprit, but they do not want to put anyone at risk. The trial was originally scheduled to end in 2011.

Letters have been sent out to all of the men still participating in SELECT to tell them to stop taking any pills given to them for the trial period. The NCI has asked that all participants SELECT suspend taking any pills immediately, even if they have not received the official letter yet.

Selenium
Selenium is a mineral that is required for life, but only in small amounts. In the body, selenium becomes part of an enzyme that helps to prevent cell damage. Some studies suggest that selenium may help prevent and slow the growth of prostate cancer. These studies have suggested that:

higher levels of selenium are linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer
an extra 200 micrograms of selenium a day cuts prostate cancer risk in half
selenium is effective in slowing down prostate cancer progression

The first study to look directly at the effects of selenium (and
vitamin E) on the risk of prostate cancer is now underway. Until October 2008, more than 35,000 men in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico were participating in the Selenium and Vitamin E
Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), funded by the National Cancer Institute.

Selenium is found in brewer's yeast, wheat germ, whole-grain wheat flour, garlic, chicken liver, nuts and seeds (particularly Brazil nuts), cod, tuna, herring, shrimp and oysters. A healthy diet contains 70 micrograms/day of selenium.

Increased selenium intake can have some side effects, including brittle hair and nail changes. If you decide to take a selenium supplement, the dose recommended by most specialists is 50 to
200 micrograms/day. Do not exceed 200 micrograms/day. A
larger amount may be toxic.

Examples of the amount of selenium in certain foods:

3 ounces of cod	40 micrograms
3 ounces of tuna	69 micrograms
4 ounces of shrimp	45 micrograms

Lycopene in Fruits & Vegetables

Lycopene is the pigment that gives tomatoes and other fruits like guava, papaya, red grapefruit and watermelon their red colour. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, meaning it helps prevent cell damage. Research studies have also found that it prevents and slows the growth of prostate cancer, but as of yet, no one knows how this happens.

Red tomatoes have the most lycopene and research has found that lycopene in tomatoes is better absorbed into the body after it has been turned into juice, sauce, paste or ketchup.

The recommended daily intake of lycopene is 30 to 60 milligrams (mg). Some examples of lycopene content in different foods are:

Tomato, 2 medium slices	1 mg
Grapefruit, pink or red, ½ cup	2 mg
Tomato, chopped, ½ cup	3 mg
Guava, 1 medium	5 mg
Ketchup, 2 tbsp	5 mg
Watermelon, 1 cup	8 mg
Tomato paste, 2 tbsp	10 mg
Tomato soup, 1 cup	12 mg
Tomatoes, canned/diced, ½ cup	12 mg
Tomato salsa, ½ cup	12 mg
V-8 100% vegetable juice, 8 ounces	17 mg
Spaghetti/tomato sauce, ½ cup	20 mg
Tomato juice, 8 ounces	22 mg

For more information on lycopene, how it keeps you healthy and a thorough review of research studies on tomato lycopene and prostate cancer, visit www.lycopene.org.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, meaning it helps prevent cell damage. Vitamin C has been shown to reduce cancer growth in some types of cells grown in laboratories, but this effect has only been seen at high doses over long periods of time. Studies in humans have not shown a reduced risk of prostate cancer with vitamin C.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a vitamin that is found in food and is also produced by the body and activated after exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun. Studies suggest that activated vitamin D may be broken down in the prostate, where it may play a role in preventing cancer. Research also suggests there may be a link between increased exposure to sunlight and decreased risk of prostate cancer.

While low levels of vitamin D seem to increase the risk of prostate cancer, large supplementary doses of vitamin D increase the level of calcium in the blood which in turn can cause other problems such as kidney stones and hardening of the arteries. Synthetic forms of vitamin D have been created to try to produce an anti-tumour effect without impacting on blood calcium levels.

In late 2004, researchers at the University of Toronto reported the results of a trial in 15 men with advanced prostate cancer. The patients all received 2,000 units/day of cholecalciferol (a form of vitamin D) for up to 21 months. Fourteen of the 15 men showed evidence of a clinical response and none had any side effects. While the trial was small, these are the most positive results for a vitamin D compound to date in human cancer.

Good dietary sources of vitamin D include:

Milk fortified with vitamin D
Fatty fish (such as salmon and mackerel)
Cod liver oil / fish liver oil
Some breads and cereals
Some egg yolks