Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate gland in men. The gland produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer develops slowly and is initially localised in the prostate gland where it may not pose any serious danger. However, advanced prostate cancer may cause symptoms such as trouble urinating, blood in semen, discomfort in the pelvic area and erectile dysfunction. Some of the factors which may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer include.

Age; Prostate cancer is likely to occur in older men as risk increases with age.

 Race; Black men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than men from other races. It is also more likely to be more aggressive in black men.

 Family history; A family history of prostate cancer may increase the risk.

Obesity; Obese men with prostate cancer are at a higher risk of developing advanced symptoms. Studies also sagest that genetic difference in how men metabolize alpha-linoleic acid may contribute to prostate tumour growth.

Prostate cancer may develop over several years. However, a dietary change may significantly affect the rate of development of this disease.

Benefits of using flaxseed

Flaxseeds contain a high amount of nutrients such as manganese, vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that it is able to protect against a number of conditions including diabetes and prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is often preceded by prostate intraepithelial neoplasm. Clinical trials in men show that consuming flaxseeds may inhibit the development of prostate intraepithelial neoplasm into prostate cancer.

Flaxseeds also reduce the levels of prostate-specific antigen. This antigen can be used to determine how effective prostate cancer treatments are. The target is to obtain the lowest level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. This can be used to show if cancer treatment is effective in preventing the growth and spread of the tumour. Adding flaxseed to your diet reduces the risk of proliferation. This effect can be farther enhanced by adopting a low-fat diet which reduces cholesterol levels as well.

Many health benefits of flaxseeds are inherent in its high fibre and omega-3 content. It also rich in lignans which are natural antioxidants. Lignans are a type of phytoestrogen, which are similar to estrogen found in various foods that have a protective effect against the development of many cancers including prostate cancer. Flaxseeds have a significantly high amount of lignans thus it is also able to reduce the aggressiveness of an already existing tumour. A diet rich in lignans is generally beneficial for people with hormone-linked cancers such as prostate cancer.

Regular consumption of flaxseeds helps to maintain overall prostate health as it reduces the risk of developing an enlarged prostate. The lignans in flaxseeds prevent the spread of cancerous cells in the body. Flaxseeds are also beneficial to men undergoing prostate cancer treatment. It has been shown to reduce radiation-related deficits in weight as well as an increase in lifespan after radiation treatment.

Taking flaxseed is therefore beneficial to men who already have prostate cancer as well as those who don’t as a preventive measure. It significantly reduces the aggressiveness of prostate tumours. Taking ground flaxseeds is recommended in order to obtain the best results as whole flaxseeds may pass through the system undigested.