By Rudo Shoko

PROSTATE cancer is the most common cancer among male Zimbabweans with high cases being recorded from 2004 to date.
The latest statistics released in 2017 by the Zimbabwe Cancer registry showed that 25,6 percent of cancers affecting men is prostate cancer.
According to the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ), the figures continue to rise — stats in 2014 stood at 23,1 percent contributing to nine percent of the total cancer-related deaths in the year.
The most common male cancers in Zimbabwe are reproductive system-related cancers and about 81 percent cancer cases are diagnosed very late.
A study by CAZ during a prostate cancer awareness campaign last month noted that increasing cases and treatment modalities had also led to sterility.
“This makes it even more difficult for men to face these reproductive-related male cancers given the society’s gender expectations,” said the association.
It is not really known what causes prostate cancer, but there is a belief that people who consume fats and milk products may have a higher risk.
Green vegetables are believed to be protective.
The prostate gland is a walnut- sized gland only found in men.
It sits just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine through the penis.
The prostate job is to make fluid for semen. Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow uncontrollably.
According to a medical doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, as one gets older, he is at great risk of prostate cancer, particularly after the age of 40.
He added that family history increases a man’s risk of getting the cancer.
Many have no symptoms in the early stages, however, later on the symptoms include:
– Frequent urination, especially at night
– Dribbling of urine that take long to finish as it comes in small amounts.
– Passing out urine with blood.
– Painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation.
– The inflammation or infection may also cause a fever.
While prostate problems, particularly prostatitis, are a natural part of growing older, there are specific ways or preventative measures compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to keep one’s prostate health:
– Maximisation of fruit and vegetable servings: fruits and vegetables contain high levels of cancer and inflammation-fighting substances such as antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals and fibre. Strong evidence exists of the ability of these foods which are rich in potent phytonutrients to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.
– Maintaining a healthy sex life: Sex reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
– Eating whole natural foods: Consuming foods high in fibre has been linked to lower levels of testosterone.
– Consuming green tea: Green tea contains substances called catechins that move throughout the body and take up residence in the prostate where they can slow the growth of cancer cells and also encourage cancer cell suicide and interfere with the actions of enzymes that encourage the growth and spread of cancer.
– Avoid foods and additives that are harmful to prostate health: Some foods, supplements, additives and nutrients are especially harmful to the prostate, including but not limited to red meat, calcium and foods high in sugar.
– Take supplements selectively: Many supplements can be beneficial to the prostate, but some have potential to be harmful (such as calcium).
– Consume cancer killing food: Numerous foods and their components in The Prostate Health Diet have been shown to be cancer-killers. Elevated levels of folate (folic acid) and vitamin D are associated with a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Other foods such as turmeric and cayenne have been shown to have cancer-killing properties as the lycopene, found mainly in tomato-based products.
– Hydrate often: Drinking pure water is essential for prostate health.
– Achieve and maintain a healthy weight: Numerous studies have shown a link between being overweight and having risk of prostate cancer as well as longer long-term survival rates and more aggressive forms of the disease.
– Manage stress: Many health experts believe that stress plays a role in cancer risk. It may not directly cause it, but long term stress can be very detrimental to the body — weakening the immune system, altering your hormonal balance and overall making you more susceptible to disease.
– Experiment with natural therapies: Natural prevention and treatment approaches for prostate health include acupuncture, biofeedback, homeopathy, hormone restoration, massage, reflexology and stress management techniques.
– Lead a prostate friendly lifestyle: Smoking, sleep patterns, some medication and alcohol may all affect your prostate.
Meanwhile, oncologists say cancer control in the country, as elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa involves meeting the challenge of emerging cancers associated with the Western lifestyle which has been adopted by many.
People of all races are equally at risk of getting various types of cancers, but oncologists say incidence rates differ mainly due to differences in medical care access, screening, registry quality, genetic diversity and Westernisation.
Incidence rates in Africa are likely to continue rising with improving economies and increasing Westernisation, warranting the need for more high quality population-based registration to monitor cancer incidence in Africa.