Obesity Emerging As Possible Risk Factor For Prostate Cancer

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness;  Urology / Nephrology;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 18 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Evidence is emerging that excess weight may impact the chances of surviving prostate cancer.

"Evidence that weight is a risk factor is not quite conclusive, but it's close," says David Penson, M.D., associate professor of urology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC). "There is certainly some preliminary evidence that obese patients are more likely to have aggressive cancers and more likely to die from the disease if they get it."

While the exact role that obesity plays in the disease is unknown, many scientists think it's related to the relationship between obesity and changes in hormone levels, Penson says. Overweight men have higher levels of certain hormones that may aid in the progression of tumors.

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer found in American men. It's estimated that about 27,000 men will die from the disease this year, according to the American Cancer Society.

The biggest risk factors are family history and age, Penson says. African-American men are also at higher risk for the disease, he notes.

There is some disagreement among medical experts about the effectiveness of prostate cancer screening, and patients should discuss the pros and cons with their doctors, Penson says. Screening consists of a blood test, called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, and a rectal exam. Men that opt for the testing should be screened annually, beginning at about age 50. Men at high risk for the disease should start at 45.

A healthy lifestyle will reap many benefits, including prostate health, he says. Eating healthy, exercising regularly and taking a daily vitamin are all ways to help prevent the disease.

"Weight loss is usually a good thing for an obese patient," Penson says. "It's good for the heart, good for overall health and it may be good for the prostate."

http://www.usc.edu