This is an article on prostate cancer prevention. Current information on risk factors for prostate cancer, suggests that some cases can be prevented. A possible risk factor that can be changed is diet. You can decrease your risk of prostate cancer following a diet low in fat and rich in vegetables, fruits and cereals.

The U.S. Cancer Society:  Eat a variety of healthy food, with emphasis on vegetable and limiting red meat intake, especially fat-containing or being processed. We recommend eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Bread, cereals, bran products, rice, pasta and vegetables are also recommended. These nutrition recommendations are also used to reduce the risk of other cancers and are reflected in the European code against cancer.

Tomatoes (raw, cooked or processed as in sauces and ketchup), citrus and watermelon are rich in lycopene. These vitamin-like substances are antioxidants that may help prevent DNA mutations and, therefore, lower the risk of prostate cancer. It seems that the vitamins and mineral supplements can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Some studies suggest that 50 milligrams (or 400 IU) of vitamin E per day may lower the risk. However, other studies indicate that vitamin E is not beneficial.

Reasonable doses of vitamin E produced no significant side effects and are not expensive. The mineral selenium may reduce the risk. In addition vitamin A supplementation according to the latest research can increase the risk. However, one must consume vitamin supplements with caution. It is more advisable richly varied diet with a predominance of plant foods of animal origin, which contain all these micronutrients and act positively and synergistically.

The clinical trial called SELECT (Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial: a clinical trial for cancer prevention with vitamin E and selenium) is a major clinical trial designed to determine if these two supplements (vitamin E and selenium) can protect against prostate cancer. This study opened in 2001 and recruited men 32.000. Unfortunately, the results of this study are not available until 2013. This study is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute of America.

The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial is a clinical trial that has recruited over 18,000 men over 50 years to determine the protective effect of a substance called finasteride, which may protect the prostate of male hormones, and may reduce cancer risk prostate. Androgens are male hormones known to promote growth of both normal and cancerous prostate cells and may play an important role in the development of prostate cancer. This study (PCPT) was initiated 9 years ago to test the ability of finasteride to prevent the occurrence of prostate cancer. Subjects were randomized to receive placebo or finasteride during this time.

At the end of the study or at any time provided there was suspicion of cancer prostate biopsy was performed. Although the number of cancer cases was lower in subjects taking the drug, we can not speak of success. Tumors, although less frequently, were more malignant in patients who received finasteride. The real goal of cancer prevention is not to reduce the number of cases but improved survival. However, the drug appears to achieve a 25% lower but more aggressive tumors.

It seems that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, taken daily are associated with a lower incidence of prostate cancer in men aged 60 years or more in some studies as published in Oncol Rep., January-February 2000. For more information on prostate cancer prevention, you can check mayoclinic.com.