Preventing death from prostate enlargement

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                                                        Oladapo Ashiru

In 1999, there were approximately 334,888 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States of America, leading to 41,000 deaths. This disease occurs most frequently in elderly men 72 years and above.

Even though we are not keeping statistics for the number of new cases and deaths in Nigeria for this preventable disease, the American example is relevant for us here because there are significant racial differences that are negative for the African male. For example, for the African American male age 50-54, the incidence of prostate cancer is twice as high as the Caucasian American, and it is one third higher for the African American of all ages.

For all Asian men, the incidence of this cancer is relatively low. It is not known what causes this racial difference, but genetics must surely play a part. Diet is another factor that cannot be ruled out, as African American soul food closely mimics many Nigerian diets of pork, beans and greens cooked with plenty of oil and fat. This is therefore a Black Man’s disease that Nigerian men should be concerned about.

The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ located under the bladder, surrounding the urinary tract of men. It secretes a fluid that forms part of the seminal fluid, which is part of the semen produced at ejaculation after intercourse.

At the beginning of a cancerous growth, the prostrate grows outwardly and internally and becomes enlarged. The organ is no longer tender and it obstructs the urethra where the urine passes, and eventually obstructs the bladder. This enlargement may eventually become a tumour cell, which can spread to other organs, finally leading to death.

Prostate cancer is primarily a disease of the aged. So, as men age, they should take note of the following symptoms and if they have them, they should definitely pay a visit to a doctor.

When you have a slow urination, especially when the last few drops do not expel easily, you should raise the alarm, and you should also let the doctor check you out if you notice any change in urination as described below:
•Frequently going to urinate. This is termed Progressive Urinary Frequency.
•The constant urge to urinate and empty bladder, called Urgency.
•Nocturia, which is passing urine in the night.
•Difficulty in passing urine, termed Hesitancy.
•Reduced force of urination.
•Reduced projectile pressure of urine (ejaculatory pressure).
•Blood in the urine.

What makes prostrate to enlarge and become cancerous?
Aging, stress, chemical toxicity, genetics and infection have been identified as some of the factors that can lead to the enlargement of the prostate gland. With aging, there are hormonal changes associated with getting older, such as decreased production of the male testosterone, prolactin and stress-related hormone will increase with age.

High prolactin level in the blood will lead to an increase in the uptake of testosterone in the prostate gland, which will result in the production of another male hormone called DiHydro-testoterone. High levels of DHT in the prostate gland will enlarge the prostate. A stressful lifestyle also does not help the prostate. This will usually cause an increase in the level of circulating prolactin hormone. The net result is elevated DHT and subsequent prostate enlargement.

Prostate cancer is highly related to genetic factors. If a family member has prostate cancer, it is highly likely that other male members of the family will get it also.

With our highly chemicalised society, we spray pesticides to kill all sorts of insects in our homes to protect us from diseases, and on our farmlands to protect the crops from plant-destroying diseases and insects. We eat crops which contain pesticide that has as active ingredient polychlorinated hydrocarbon. This chemical, when ingested through foods, accumulates in organs like the adrenals, the liver and the prostate, which then become diseased.

Infections, especially sexually transmitted diseases affecting the prostate gland, are another major factor that can lead to prostate cancer. Therefore, repeated infections from sexually transmitted diseases, apart from narrowing the urethral passage and reducing sperm count, may lead to prostate enlargement.

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