PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN

Specific causes of prostate cancer are still being debated within the medical community but there are some definite factors that seem to put men at risk for it. African American males have a history that shows a much higher likelihood of coming down with prostate cancer, almost triple that of Caucasian or Hispanic Americans. A number of studies have been done to determine what the cultural differences are that may have led to that disparity. One major item that has come to the forefront in these studies is food, or more specifically soul food.

It is the general consensus of medical professionals that the consumption of large quantities of meat or dairy products which are high in animal fat can lead to a greater risk of developing prostatic diseases such as prostate cancer. The cream sauces used in soul food recipes are loaded with dairy products and the preparation process of deep frying meats with oil, eggs, and flour gives them an extremely high fat content. Southern fried chicken, biscuits, gravy, and some hush puppies or pound cake may taste delicious, but they can be deadly if you’re looking to avoid prostate cancer.

Heredity could be another factor in the high number of prostate cancer cases found in African American males. The numbers have been so high for so long that there are very few men of African American descent who do not have a close relative who has been affected by this form of cancer. It’s not always deadly, but one in every six men in America is struck with some form of it between the ages of 45 and 70. For African American men the screening often begins at 35 years old.

Alternative treatment methods and healthy fears of surgery or radiation have led many middle aged men to seek out prevention methods instead of waiting for prostate cancer to find them. Proper diet helps, as does certain types of exercise such as kamasutra yoga. Discovering these techniques and applying them may drive the numbers down in favor of middle aged men, regardless of ethnicity. Tremendous progress has already been made and there will no doubt be many more new and exciting discoveries over the next few years.