Prostate kills almost as many men as breast cancer kills women, but sometimes it isn’t given the same level of media coverage. This is a shame because it is such a real danger to men. We should be doing everything we can to avoid the risks of developing prostate cancer, but sometimes people aren’t aware of what can cause it. Now it seems, however, that there is something new to worry about as a study has linked vitamin E to an increased risk of developing the condition.
The study, by researchers from the Cleveland Clinic, discovered that taking a daily vitamin E supplement put up your risk of developing prostate cancer by around 17 percent. The study looked at 35,533 men from the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Over a three year period the men were either given selenium, vitamin E or a placebo.
The men were given a prostate exam at the beginning of the trial to assess the size and health of their prostate. They then took the supplements every day over the course of three years. The results showed that 17 percent more men who took the vitamin E supplement were diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The current lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer is thought to be around 16 percent. Generally the disease is caught in the early, curable stage, but it will still have implications for health and wellbeing. There are often unpleasant urinary, sexual and bowel-related problems due to the treatment and the condition itself.
Many older men take vitamin E as a method of preventing cancer and leading a healthier lifestyle. But this research now suggests that supplements of this vitamin need further research to ensure that they are as good for wellness as hoped. The researchers indicated that the vitamin E link with prostate cancer was only relevant to those taking supplements and does not suggest that we should be avoiding vitamin E in our diet. Food is often thought of as a much healthier way to take vitamins on-board.
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