New recommendations are now emerging from two huge studies in the United States and Europe on the necessity of a non-specific prostate cancer screening technique. The PSA blood test that is routinely done on males over the age of 50 has been found to do more harm than good.
Despite strong
protests from urologist, the final guideline published last Monday say’s
there’s zero evidence that PSA testing saves or extends lives and was found to
increase healthcare costs. PSA testing
and false positive tests result in impotence, incontinence, heart attacks,
strokes and even premature death from further unneeded cancer treatments.
The
recommendations are not mandates for healthcare professionals to follow
yielding potential harm to you and your family.
PSA testing hasn’t been studied extensively in black men and those with
prostate cancer in the family.
Communicate with your healthcare professional about the serious risks of
prostate cancer screening.
PSA Testing Causes Harm
Many men age 50
and older have an annual PSA ritual that causes harm. Current recommendations urge men over the age
of 75 to skip PSA screening altogether as they’re at the highest risk of
complications. Despite the new
recommendations it is predicted that half of men will blindly continue a
useless test based on outdated information.
PSA testing is
not specific for prostate cancer. False
positives are more likely than real positives.
The test has no determining factors that will improve treatment outcomes,
seriousness of the condition or who ultimately will live or die from the
condition.
We have been
told for decades to be terrified of cancer and that the only hope is early
detection and treatment while forgetting about the prevention aspect altogether. New recommendations do not exist as no
current test indicates which cancers are aggressive and life-threatening.
Dr. Otis
Brawley, the American Cancer Society’s chief medical officer fully supports the
new recommendations and the financial impact cancer treatments have on
families. Brawley specifically indicated
that PSA testing is an abuse of power and results primarily in healthcare
centers profits.
100% at Risk
Prostate cancer
is most commonly a slow-growing tumor that will carry a very low risk of
developing into a form of cancer that can kill you. A PSA test very rarely detects serious cancer
while putting 100% of patients at risk of serious complications.
The study finds
the following:
-Without
screening, about 5 in every 1,000 men die of prostate cancer over 10 years. The
European study found PSA testing might prevent one of those deaths, while the
U.S. study found no difference.
-Of every 1,000 men screened, two will have a
heart attack or stroke from the resulting cancer treatment, and 30 to 40 will
experience treatment-caused impotence or incontinence.
-Of every 3,000
men screened, one will die from complications of surgery.
Dr. Brawley says
the drop in prostate cancer has zero correlation to PSA testing and downward
trends started before widespread use. Prostate cancer deaths have dropped over the
last 20 years with improved dietary and exercise recommendations.
Eat Healthy Fats
Choose a
healthy-fat diet. Processed fats and
oils such as corn oil, vegetable oil and canola oil puts you at specific
risk. Consume lean meats, nuts, butter,
whole dairy and cook with healthy oils such as olive oil, avocado oil and
coconut oil.
The type of fat
is strongly correlated to unhealthy outcomes.
Unhealthy fats have been found to promote weight gain, damage your
immune system and create inflammation.
Inflammation is linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer and most chronic
health conditions.
Eat Your Vegetables
Increase the
amount of fruits and vegetables you eat each day. Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins
and nutrients that reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Start by substituting a piece of fruit or a
vegetable instead of a poor dietary choice that is full of unhealthy fats such
as chips.
Eat Fish
Fatty cold water
fish — such as salmon, sardines, tuna and trout — contain a fatty acid called
omega-3 that has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer via its
anti-inflammatory effects. If you don't
currently eat fish, try adding it to your diet.
Drink Green Tea
Studies of men
who drink green tea or take a green tea supplement have been found to have a
reduction in prostate cancer. Tea's
health benefits are largely due to its high content of antioxidants. Green tea is the best food source of a group
called catechins. Catechins are more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting
oxidative damage to cells thus preventing cancer.
Drink Alcohol in Moderation
If you choose to
drink alcohol, limit yourself to no more than a drink or two each day. Alcohol alters hormonal balance in the body,
creates inflammation and produces the stress response that damages healthy
cells. There's a clear connection to the
consumption of alcohol and poor dietary choices that further harm the body.
Maintain
a Healthy Weight
Men with a body
mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher are considered obese. Being obese increases
your risk of prostate cancer. If you are
overweight or obese, work to lose weight. You can do this by reducing the
number of calories you eat each day and increasing the amount of exercise you
do.
If you are currently a healthy weight, work to
maintain it by regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Exercise Helps Kill Cancer
Studies of
exercise and prostate cancer risk have shown that men who exercise have a
reduced risk of prostate cancer. Exercise has many other health benefits and
may reduce your risk of heart disease and other cancers.
High intensity,
short duration exercise versus traditional weight lifting or cardiovascular
exercise has been found to improve the function of one’s immune system. The immune system is the primary system of
the body that identifies and eliminates the development of cancer. The powerful combination of exercise, diet,
stress management and detoxification will yield the greatest immune response –
killing cancer.
Our daily
choices have an impact on our overall health outcomes. Be proactive -- choose a healthy lifestyle,
nutritious diet and engage in an exercise programme to help reduce your
risk. Do not wait until cancer develops
– prevent it.
Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
Twitter: DrCoryCouillard
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