Now that more men are living longer, many are wondering whether or not they’ll be afflicted by the dreaded ‘M’ word (Mane) — that is, prostate cancer. If you’re among this group, then you might be wondering whether or not you’re at risk for this life-threatening condition, and if there’s anything you can do to prevent it.
Well, it depends on what you mean by ‘at risk’ and ‘prevent,’ but before we get into that, it’s important to understand exactly what causes prostate cancer in the first place.
Prostate Health Factors
Just like with most major diseases, there are some risk factors that place you in greater danger of developing prostate cancer than others. If you’re looking to reduce your risk of prostate cancer, you need to be aware of these factors and take appropriate action.
For example, never having been married, having a family history of prostate cancer, and being a male under the age of fifty are all considered high-risk factors for prostate cancer, meaning that you’re more likely to develop this condition than the general population. If you’re aware of these risks and still decide to have a beer, then that’s your choice, but you should know that you’re putting yourself at a higher risk for prostate cancer than needed.
Viagra And Prostate Cancer
So far, we’ve established that there are certain risks that place you in a greater danger of developing prostate cancer. But what if we told you that taking Viagra could double your risk of developing this condition? Well, that’s what a recent study suggested, and it’s certainly a cause for concern, especially for older men, who are more vulnerable to the side effects of this drug.
As mentioned above, the study suggested that Viagra increases your risk of prostate cancer by about two-fold. But what does that mean in practical terms? Well, it means that if you’re already at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer just because of your age or the familial history you have, then taking Viagra might make you even more susceptible to this disease. And what’s more, the drug might even cause malignant (cancerous) tumours to grow bigger, leading to more serious consequences for prostate health, including death.
Fortunately, there’s good news too. While the study found that Viagra does increase your risk of developing prostate cancer, it also suggested that it might be able to help prevent or slow the progression of the disease. Specifically, men who were assigned to take the drug for 12 weeks had a 41% lower risk of prostate cancer than those who were not. So, while it appears that Viagra is bad for your prostate, it might also be able to help save it, at least for some men.
What You Need To Know
Taking Viagra and having a beer every once in a while probably won’t cause you any serious health problems. After all, not many men get diagnosed with prostate cancer just from having a drink or two, and even then, the disease is relatively easy to treat. It’s when you add Viagra to the equation that things become more complicated.
If you’re one of the men who develops prostate cancer as a result of taking the drug, then that’s one thing. But if you’re among the group of men predicted to develop the disease based on the risks discussed above, then you should know that Viagra might not be the wisest choice for your prostate. Instead, there are some other OTC drugs that have been proven to be more effective and a lot safer than the blue pill.
Oral Phytotherapy
An increasing number of men are looking for natural alternatives to traditional medications, and the herbal supplement saw palmetto has been used for centuries to treat prostatitis and other conditions associated with enlarged prostate. Recent studies have also shown that it can significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men. As a result, it has become a popular choice among those who want to avoid taking a drug that has been associated with serious side effects.
In a nutshell, saw palmetto is a fruit that is native to the southern parts of the United States. While it is most well-known for its ability to combat prostatitis and other conditions associated with enlarged prostate, it also has been shown to have anti-cancer properties.
The American Cancer Society currently recommends that men consult their healthcare provider about oral phytotherapy (specifically, saw palmetto) in the fight against prostate cancer. However, the organisation also stresses the need for more clinical research in order to better understand the potential uses and side effects of this herbal supplement. In the meantime, it’s good to know that there are alternatives to Viagra if you’re among the men at risk for this disease.
So, to reiterate, the fact that Viagra increases your risk of developing prostate cancer does not mean that it’s the worst choice for your health. It depends on the individual circumstances of each case. Still, if you’re deciding whether or not to go on medication, then you should consider all the facts, including the possible side effects. As always, you should consult with your doctor or healthcare provider for advice on what’s best for you.