Prostate Health: Small Gland, Big Impact
- Carrie Ballas
- Sep 16
- 5 min read
Men, Don’t Ignore This Hidden Gland
(Inclusive Note: In this article, the word “men” refers to anyone who has a prostate—including cisgender men and some transgender women or non-binary people assigned male at birth.)
Why This Gland Deserves Attention
• Most common male cancer in the U.S. – About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
• Second leading cause of cancer death in men – roughly 35,000 deaths each year.
• Highly treatable when found early – the 5-year survival rate is >99% for localized disease.
Risk Factors to Know
• Age – risk rises sharply after 50.
• Family history – father, brother, or son with prostate cancer doubles the risk
• Race – Black/African-American men face higher incidence and more aggressive disease.
• Lifestyle – obesity, low physical activity, diets high in red or processed meat.
• Environmental – chronic inflammation, certain chemical exposures.
What Is a Prostate, Anyway?
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Because you can’t see or feel it from the outside, it’s easy to forget it’s there—until trouble starts.
What the Prostate Does
• Produces seminal fluid – a nutrient-rich liquid that nourishes and transports sperm.
• Supports urinary control – it surrounds the urethra, helping regulate urine flow.
• Adds to sexual function – rhythmic contractions of the prostate contribute to the force and pleasure of ejaculation.
Prostate Screening: The prostate is small, but the stakes are big.
Screening Guidelines
First-line screening includes two key tests:
PSA blood test – Measures prostate-specific antigen levels. Elevated PSA can signal prostate cancer, but may also rise from non-cancer causes such as prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) – A quick physical exam in which a healthcare provider feels the prostate through the rectal wall to detect irregularities or nodules that might not raise PSA.
These two tests together form the foundation of early detection. Major U.S. guidelines recommend:
Risk Group | When to Begin PSA + DRE | How Often if PSA is Normal |
Average-risk | Discuss at age 50 | Every 2 years is typical; annual is optional |
Higher-risk (African-American men or one first-degree relative <65) | Discuss at age 45 | Every 1–2 years |
Very high-risk (multiple relatives with early cancer) | Discuss at age 40 | Often yearly |
If the PSA is low (<1 ng/mL at age 50) and risk is average, testing every 2–4 years can be reasonable. Decisions should be shared between patient and clinician.
Beyond Standard PSA: Newer Tools
• Prostate Health Index (PHI): A next-generation blood test that combines total PSA, free PSA, and [-2]proPSA. A high PHI score is more specific than a basic PSA for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer, helping reduce unnecessary biopsies.
• Multiparametric MRI: The current gold standard for visualizing suspicious areas before biopsy. Many insurers still require an elevated PSA or abnormal PHI before covering an MRI as a first-line screen, but it’s becoming more widely accepted for men at higher risk.
Myth Buster: Screening is Quick and Low-Risk
• PSA is a simple blood test.
• The digital rectal exam is brief and usually painless.
• Screening does not automatically mean treatment—many early cancers are safely monitored.
-Most insurance plans cover PSA testing and, if needed, follow-up imaging such as MRI after an abnormal result.
Why Prostate Cancer Develops
Prostate cancer begins when normal prostate cells undergo genetic changes that make them grow and divide uncontrollably. While the exact cause is often unknown, several biological processes and risk factors contribute:
• Genetics & Family History – Mutations in DNA repair genes (like BRCA1/2) or a strong family history can increase risk. Having a father, brother, or son with prostate cancer doubles a man’s risk.
• Age-Related DNA Damage – As men age, DNA copying errors accumulate, and the body becomes less efficient at repairing them. That’s one reason prostate cancer is rare before age 40 but more common after 50.
• Chronic Inflammation – Repeated irritation or inflammation (from infection, diet, or toxins) may damage DNA and create an environment where abnormal cells thrive.
• Lifestyle & Environmental Factors – Diets high in red or processed meats, obesity, low physical activity, and exposure to certain chemicals (e.g., pesticides, industrial toxins) have all been linked to higher risk.
How it Progresses:
Many prostate cancers grow very slowly and may not cause problems for years. Others are aggressive, spreading quickly to lymph nodes or bones.
Because you can’t tell which type a man has without careful testing, early detection helps distinguish slow-growing cancers (which may be safely monitored) from aggressive types (which need prompt treatment).
In my own practice, I’ve helped identify prostate cancers in men as young as their 40s, allowing them to receive treatment at a stage where outcomes are excellent.
Healthy Habits Checklist
• Maintain a healthy weight (BMI <25). Come in and check out our Evolt BIA system to measure your body composition ($60 includes 15 min consult with our RNs) https://www.integrativeweightloss.org/evolt
• Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
• Limit alcohol and avoid smoking.
• Manage stress and get adequate sleep (hormone balance matters).
Keeping the Prostate Healthy
Foods to Favor:
• Pumpkin seeds & oysters – rich in zinc and phytosterols
• Tomatoes & watermelon – high in lycopene
• Turmeric- anti-Inflammatory and anticancer
• Drink Green Tea • Cruciferous veggies – broccoli, cauliflower, kale for sulforaphane
• Berries & pomegranate – powerful antioxidants
• Fatty fish – salmon, sardines for anti-inflammatory omega-3s
Helpful Nutrients / Supplements:
• Zinc – essential for normal prostate function
• Pumpkin seed oil / extract-Rich in zinc and phytosterols
• Lycopene- Carotenoid found in tomatoes and watermelon
• Selenium - antioxidant mineral (keep dose under 200mcg/day)
• Saw palmetto – may support urinary flow in benign enlargement
• Green-tea extract (EGCG) – potent antioxidant
• Resveratrol- anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects on prostate cells
• Vitamin D – low levels are linked to higher cancer risk
(and more!)
Interesting Research Link:Large population studies have found that men who ejaculate more frequently—about 21 or more times per month—have a modestly lower risk of prostate cancer compared with men who ejaculate less often. While this is only an association and not a guarantee of protection, it’s an intriguing reminder that sexual health and prostate health are closely connected.
Resources & Further Reading
• Dietary Antioxidants and Prostate Cancer: A Review – Open access review of antioxidants and prostate cancer risk. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01635581.2013.806672
• Prostate Cancer, Nutrition, and Dietary Supplements (PDQ®, National Cancer Institute).
• Plant-Based Diets and Disease Progression in Men With Prostate Cancer – JAMA Network Open 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38691361/
• Cancer Stat Facts: Common Cancer Sites
• Screening for Prostate Cancer With Modern Diagnostics – JAMA Network Open 2024. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2814628
Take-Home Message
Even though it’s out of sight, your prostate is vital for urinary health, fertility, and sexual function.
• Know your risk.
• Eat for protection.
• Get screened on schedule.
Partners & loved ones: Share this newsletter. A simple conversation and a screening appointment can truly save a life.
To your health and proactive wellness,
Carrie Ballas FNP
Boulder Integrative Health
