Can you prevent prostate cancer?

Currently, scientists are investigating whether certain substances may work to reduce prostate cancer risk. Recent evidence suggests that in addition to certain drugs, some compounds, such as vitamins D and E and selenium, may help prevent prostate cancer. In fact, the National Cancer Institute is sponsoring a prostate cancer prevention trial, SELECT, to investigate whether selenium and vitamin E, alone or in combination, may help prevent prostate cancer.

Screening tests are available to detect prostate cancer. While not recommended for the general population, doctors may advise patients at elevated risk or with symptoms of an enlarged prostate to undergo screening. Screening methods currently used include the digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which measures blood levels of PSA protein. While men with prostate cancer generally have higher PSA levels than those who do not, PSA levels can be high due to a non-malignant infection or inflammation of the prostate. Therefore a biopsy is necessary for a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Cancer terms:
Mutation: During the process of cell division, DNA undergoes duplication. Sometimes errors are made on this process, but most of the time body is able to repair or remove these errors. If the body is not able to remove the error, it is sustained in the cell. This is called mutation. If this cell divides, it passes the mutation to daughter cells. See cancer terms for more cancer related terms.