By Mary Agidi

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Prostate cancer has been identified as the most common cancer among men and the fourth most diagnosed cancer in the world. There are recent increasing records of victims of the disease across the globe, including the death of prominent figures.

In December last year, the disease cut short the life of the then governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, at age 67. Also, in 2023, Capt. Ayinde Yahya, a retiree from the Nigerian Army, who is a prostate cancer survivor shared his experience of prolonged battle with the killer disease for five harrowing years with one of the National newspapers. He narrated how he lost four of his family members including his father, uncle and two brothers in quick succession, shortly after they were diagnosed at an advanced stage with the ailment. His case further revealed that gene plays a significant role in prostate cancer.

Just in March 26, 2024, a renowned playwright, producer, director and culture advocate, Wole Oguntokun, reportedly died of prostate cancer in Canada at age 57. These are known cases due to their status in the society, many have died of prostate cancer, unnoticed.

While a report by Cancer.Net says prostate cancer incidence rates dropped steeply from 2007 to 2014 because screening guidelines at the time resulted in less prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, however, since 2014, overall incidence rates have gone up by around three percent each year, and incidence rates for advanced-stage prostate cancer rose by  five percent each year.

In 2020, an estimated 1,414,259 people were reportedly diagnosed with prostate cancer worldwide, while an estimated 375,304 died.

Around 60 percent of cases are diagnosed in people age 65 or older, and the disease is rarely identified in those younger than 40. The number of new cases diagnosed in black men is 70 percent higher than the number of new cases diagnosed in white men black men in the United States and the Caribbean were said to have the highest incidence rates of prostate cancer around the globe.

Prostate cancer is said to be the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States but due to advances in screening and treatment, there was a decline in the death rate between 1993 to 2013.

However, from 2016 to 2020, the decline in the death rate slowed to just over a half of a percent each year, likely as a result of the increase in prostate cancer diagnosed at an advanced stage. Despite that, the American Society of Clinical Oncology ASCO, recorded over 3.1 million survivors of prostate cancer in the United States.

According to a report published by ASCO, survival rates for prostate cancer depend on several factors, and no two people with cancer are the same. The report says when it comes to cancer cases, every person is different, with different factors influencing their risk of being diagnosed with this cancer and the chance of recovery after a diagnosis.

Currently, the western region of Africa has the fourth highest risk for prostate cancer mortality in the world.

In Nigeria, a report published by the National Library of Medicine says that prostate cancer has become the number one cancer in Nigerian men and constitutes 11percent of all male cancers.

 Staying Sexually Active, Constant Ejaculation and Celibacy

Many unconfirmed and confirmed information have been flying across the media space about the causes and prevention of the disease. One of such information is that ejaculating like 21 times a month will save men from having the disease. This has become a kind of encouragement for both the young and the older men to be engaging in regular, unwarranted sexual intercourse.

Meanwhile, according to ASCO, two studies appear to show that men who have a higher frequency of ejaculation (with or without a sexual partner) were up to two-thirds less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, but the studies are still ongoing. Some experts have, however, theorize that ejaculation clears the body of toxins and other substances that could cause inflammation.

Contributing to the belief that constant ejaculation can truly prevent the disease, an Oncologist with the Ondo State Teaching Hospital, Dr. Aishat Okunuga hinted that, truly, some evidence suggest that frequent ejaculation may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

According to her, a 2016 study published in the journal of European Urology found that men who ejaculated frequently (defined as 21 or more times per month) had a lower risk of developing prostate cancer compared to men who ejaculated less frequently. She added that another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2004 also found a similar conclusion.

“However, it’s important to note that the evidence is not yet conclusive, and more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between ejaculating frequency and prostate cancer risk. Additionally, it’s worth noting that other factors such as age, family history, and lifestyle choices also play a role in determining a person’s risk of developing prostate cancer”, says Dr. Okunuga.

Asked if the Catholic Priests who are known to be celibates have higher risk of developing prostate cancer due to their abstinence from sexual intercourse consequently resulting to zero ejaculation for years, the Oncologist said that getting cancer is a risk and a probability.

A research report published by the European Journal of Cancer Care on “Prostate Cancer mortality among Catholic Priests “, revealed that out of the 1006 death certificates priests that were reviewed, 156 deaths were attributable to malignant neoplasms; twelve deaths from prostatic cancer were observed while 19.8 were expected. This represents a mortality experience significantly less than that of the general noncelibate population.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of Sckye hospital Akure, Dr.Thomas-Wilson Ikubese affirmed that being sexually active reduces the incidence of prostate cancer in males by just about 20%, especially those above the age of 50.

Meanwhile, there are ‘ Things You Can’t Change ‘ and ‘ There are Things, You Can Change ‘ about the disease as analyzed by a report by the Johns Hopkins medicine.

Some of the factors you can’t change are: age, race and genes. According to Hopkins Medicine, Prostate cancer is primarily a “disease of aging.” As you get older, your chances of developing prostate cancer increase. Race and genetics are also identified as major factors. If you are African American, experts said your chances of developing prostate cancer are double those of white American men. And if your father, brother or multiple blood relatives had prostate cancer, you are more likely to get it, too.

 The report says ability to prevent prostate cancer might be difficult if someone has these aforementioned risk factors, but that early and regular screening  can help ensure that it is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Things You Can Change: Diet and Lifestyle

Experts suspect differences in diets of men in countries where prostate cancer is rampant and where it is minimal. Poor eating habits and diets that heavily rely on fat and animal proteins has been identified to cause DNA damage and lead to cancer.

It was affirmed by medical experts that, even men who are already at greater risk due to age, race or genetics can reduce their chances of developing prostate cancer by adopting healthy diets and lifestyles.

Researchers don’t completely understand the relationship between diet and prostate cancer prevention, but studies suggest that certain eating habits may help. These eating habits, according to Hopkins report include:

Reducing fat intake: Eat less trans fats and saturated fats. Focus on healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids from nuts, seeds and fish.

Eating more fruits and vegetables. Incorporate a wide variety of produce, including plenty of leafy greens. The antioxidant lycopene, which is plentiful in cooked or processed tomatoes, has been shown in some studies to slow the growth of prostate cancer cells. Cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli and cauliflower) contain a compound called sulforaphane that may protect against cancer.

Adding green tea and soy. Clinical trials have suggested that soy may lower PSA levels, and that green tea may help men who are at high risk for prostate cancer lower their risk.

Avoiding charred meat. Charred meat, from frying or grilling at high temperatures, may produce a chemical compound that leads to cancer.

Maintaining Healthy Weight

Obesity can be a risk factor for developing more aggressive prostate cancer. In general, losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight as you age can help reduce your risk of cancer and many other health problems. In addition to helping you achieve a healthy weight, exercise can reduce inflammation, improve immune function and fight some of the negative health effects of a sedentary lifestyle—all of which can help prevent cancer.

 Stop Smoking and Drink Less

Quitting smoking can improve your health in many ways, including lowering your cancer risk. And if you drink, do so in moderation. Some studies suggest that red wine has antioxidant properties that may benefit your health.

Increase Your Vitamin D

Most people don’t get enough vitamin D. It can help protect against prostate cancer and many other conditions. Vitamin D-rich foods include cod liver oil, wild salmon and dried shitake mushrooms. Since the sun is a better, more readily available source of vitamin D, many experts recommend getting 10 minutes of sun exposure (without sunscreen) every day. Doctors often recommend vitamin D supplements. However, you should talk to your doctor before taking any vitamin or supplement.