Prostate Cancer and Dietary HA Exposure in African American Men
- A collaborative project with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, UCSF Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Markstein Cancer Education and Prevention Center.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among men in the U.S. It is estimated that there were 22,300 new cases of prostate cancer and 3,075 deaths in California men in 2006. African American men have the highest overall prostate cancer rate, followed by non-Hispanic White males. Because the incidence of prostate cancer is greatest in African American men, our target group to screen for this important prostate cancer research is African American men.

What is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is about the size of a walnut and lies below the urinary bladder surrounding the upper part of the urethra. Prostate cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal tissue forming a malignant tumor beginning in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is frequently a relatively slow-growing cancer and may exist for many years before it is discovered.

Risk Factors

• Age: African American men have a greater risk of developing prostate cancer at an earlier age than any other ethnicity. Routine screening for African American men can start at age 35.
• Family History: Risk increases if the father or a brother has had prostate cancer.
• Diet: A diet that is high in animal fats and low in fruits and vegetables increases risk. This study investigated other potential risk factors.

How Is Prostate Cancer Detected?

This research program subscribed to the guidelines of the American Cancer Society. As such, the guidelines recognized that a prostate cancer screening includes BOTH a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test.

• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): A DRE is a quick (less than one minute) and safe screening technique to assess the size, shape and consistency of the prostate gland. The doctor inserts one gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland, examining for lumps or hard irregular areas that could indicate prostate cancer.
• PSA Blood Test: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a substance produced by both normal and abnormal prostate cells. When prostate cells multiple, more of the PSA is produced and is often measured in the abnormal range in this simple blood test.

The Project's Hypothesis

Heterocyclic Amines (HA's) are carcinogenes found in particularly high levels of well-done meats (beef, chicken, fish). HA's have been found to cause multiple site cancers in laboratory animals. When laboratory animals are fed a high concentration of meat, fish, and/or chicken which has been cooked for long periods of time by direct heat exposure, colon, mammary and prostate cancers have been diagnosed. Our study looked at whether this same finding may occur in men who eat similar foods.

The project recruited men to screen (DRE and PSA) for prostate cancer and interview about the foods that they eat and how they were prepared. The project participation required a one-time visit which took approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Each man could only participate in this project once. The one-time visit included the blood test, a DRE by a physician and an interview with a food surveyor.

Project Results

The project was able to correlate that men who ate beef, chicken, fish or pork cooked to a well done consistency on high, direct heat (i.e., bar-b-que, frying, grilling) did have and increasde incidence of higher PSA blood levels and abnormal DRE exams. Thus, there appeared to be a greater risk of potential prostate cancer. If you are interested in getting an educational flyer that includes recommendations made as a result of the project, please call Markstein Services at 510 869-8833.