The effects of masculinity of men's diet in prostate cancer progression and reoccurence - Research Paper Example

The effects of masculinity of men's diet in pro cancer progression and reoccurrence Introduction In view of screening timetables in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, many men have very little information as far as prostate cancer is concerned. While many men know little about the disease, it is very important that they should possess awareness about it following the outcomes that have been witnessed. Among American men, prostate cancer is a very common condition since it is said to affect one in every six men. Among all types of cancer, prostate cancer has been rated as the common cause of cancer deaths among men. Several measures have been taken in the treatment of prostate cancer. Clinical practices have been applied, with very serious outcomes that include very undesirable side effects. Chemotherapy has been seen to lead to impotence is most men. With the very seriously painful moments in the treatment of the disease, many men have always wanted to get rid of this pain that makes their well-being very unstable. Doctors have sought to advising men to change their diet so as to reduce and control the progression of this disease. Few men have tried to subscribe to these measures but there is a group that strongly sticks to masculinity as a basis of avoiding intervention by clinicians. Purpose statement and content organization This paper seeks to bring forward the view that after diagnosis of prostate cancer, men have long struggle fighting it. There are number of ways in which prostate cancer can been controlled. There are clinical therapies that help regulate the levels of testosterone. However, the methods have not been very friendly with the patients and there has been a need to come up with ways that can assist men maintain their well being. Diet changes have played a vital role in helping these men live with prostate cancer (Aaron 68). The paper shall review how dietary changes can contribute to the wellbeing of these men living with prostate cancer. This research will be very descriptive and very expository in a manner that would ensure that the objectives are described and given very particular attention so as to make the paper have a sense of delivery in the analysis of the interventions of the well-being of men with prostate cancer. The paper shall also be very analytical and critical in evaluating past research findings so as to form a stronger basis for evaluation. Besides the main aims of the paper, the research shall be organized in a way that will provide a wide overview of the challenges men with prostate cancer have faced in the past, based on available literary reviews. It shall highlight evidence based on scholarly perspectives as well as examine the effects of men’s diet in prostate cancer in the progression and reoccurrence of prostate cancer. The paper shall have a research design based on evidence and critical examination that will be organized in a critical manner to bring out the ultimate intention of the paper. A review of related literature on the topic shall be provided to form a basis of understanding and the validity of the research in general. This research shall be based on the effect of diet in the management of prostate cancer in men. It shall be limited to only men simply because men are the prime victims of prostate cancer. In cases where previous research is required, only the findings from search research schedules shall apply. The major objective of this research shall be to find out how diet can be a factor in the progression as well as the reoccurrence of prostate cancer in men with poor dietary habits. The research findings shall be used to discuss the various measures that can possibly brighten the perspective men have towards dietary care. It shall also seek to find out whether or not; diet is a vital consideration in the management of prostate cancer Men and prostate cancer Prostate cancer is an abnormal development of a gland at the bottom of the urinary bladder in men. It is ranks the most common form of cancer in men that follows skin cancer. A number of ways are used to diagnose the disease since prostate cancer develops with age. Prostate cancer affects one in every six American men (Aaron 45). This clearly brings forward the level of the risk associated with the disease. Researchers have found out that the symptoms of prostate cancer may be symptoms of other related illnesses. However, the symptoms associated with prostate cancer include blood in urine, pain and difficulty in urination among others. The main cause of prostate cancer has not yet been determined, neither has it been understood. Researchers who have gone out of their way to find out the causes have brought forward several factors that only highlight the risk associated with the development of this disease. Factors that contribute to its growth include the age factor, historical background of a family as well as the race. The risks of prostate cancer are basically on family history as well as the age of the individual. Other factors, which will be featured in this paper, shall include diet. In terms of age, men over the age of fifty are at the greatest risk of prostate cancer. The research shall maintain the scope as well as the limitations in discussing prostrate cancer only. Diet has been directly linked to prostate cancer. Diets that are high in fats have been the primary cause of prostate cancer. The possibility of recommending an accurate diet to a person with prostate cancer is very narrow. Diet that is low in saturated fat is very helpful in living with prostate cancer. Red meat has been identified as the primary because of prostate cancer. Vegetables and fruits in ones diet have been very beneficial in reducing the risk associated with the development of the disease. Medicines have been the option of many in treating prostate cancer (Aaron 78). Overall, these medicines come with very many risks and side effects. In controlling the growth of this medical condition, care should be taken so as not to give way to another disease as a result of the effects of the treatment strategy. A balanced, as well as nutritious diet is able to keep a prostate cancer victim as fit as possible. It also helps him to cope with the side effects of earlier of corresponding treatment. Therefore, food safety is vital to patients associated with cancer of any type. During treatment of prostate cancer, the immune functioning may be compromised. A good diet is the ultimate rescue to such risks. This then introduces the idea of keeping food as safe as possible to reduce the risks of further infection. Men suffering from prostate cancer are therefore advised in most cases to wash their hands before having any meal, keeping the food itself clean by washing vegetables and fruits before consumption (Moore & Dalley 17). In ensuring the safety of food, raw meat should kept away from cooked food. Prostate cancer has always been associated with red meat. Any surfaces that have been in contact with red meat, fish and any animal product are cleaned intensively. Generally, prostate cancer patients are advised not to eat too much of undercooked meat and they should ensure that hygiene takes over all other strategies of avoiding risks (Aaron 110). Men’s reluctance to stick to the prescribed diet It is agreeable that healthy eating promotes the well-being of men with prostate cancer and enhances long-term survival. However, very few men have been able to adjust themselves to make changes in the diet to promote their well-being. Self-health has been avoided by many men and they have resisted nutrition intervention and changes in diet. The choice of what to eat is not as easy as it may sound. Several determinants can guide men to choose proper health practices that relate to changes in diet. These determinants may range from gender, diet as well as personal experiences with prostate cancer (Prior & Waxman 69). The development of nutrition interventions that are purely men-centered may engage these men in adjusting their feeding habits and this can in many ways may promote their health and give way to a number of health benefits. Knowledge about men’s food practices may help in suggesting proper dietary adjustments that may help them deal with prostate cancer. Masculinity theories as well as those of gender relations elaborate the interventions that have been made or need to be done. The reoccurrence of prostate cancer depends on the diet that the victim embraces. Reoccurrence decreases if the patient is on the correct diet. Progression also slows down depending on the diet (Moore & Dalley 23). Masculinity has a great influence on the diet of men diagnosed with prostrate cancer. The body being the in ultimate control of the self gives everyone the chance of choosing whatever practice that is considered right by the individual. Masculinity is a social basis in which men think they can always take care of themselves. Many men suffering from prostate cancer have therefore refused to use the diet adjustment strategy to improve their wellbeing. It is common that men do not cry over illness and therefore the chances of visiting a doctor are very low. It is also logically correct to state that many surgical as well as radiotherapy methods of treating prostate cancer have led to impotence in men (Aaron 134). This has made them to seek alternative measures of curbing the reoccurrence of the disease. According to a research conducted by Cancer Research UK, men have suffered because of their perception of masculinity as well as the social position of society. Morgan puts forward a suggestion that men are expected to exert self-control over their bodies as opposed to women (21). They therefore should be able to deal with prostate cancer the natural way by checking on their diet. Therefore, the knowledge of their masculinity makes them fight very hard to control this disease because they feel it degrades their masculinity, something men value very much. An interview conducted by Moynihan reveals that men do not admit that their illness have an effect their masculinity (345). Previous research has been done on the way masculinity affects the men living with prostate cancer and the results have been the basis of discussions in reviewing the importance of diet in controlling the reoccurrence of prostate cancer as well as its progression in men. A research conducted in the UK involved thirty-three men and it was evident that there are more than thirty thousand cases of prostate cancer every year. This is a very alarming number that could give every man a reason to worry (Moore & Dalley 56). The idea of diet applies during treatment, after treatment and after therapy. Previous researches have identified cancer as a weed. Therefore, each person should take care of their bodies to reduce the chances of having this weed within the human body (Aaron 141).The research conducted by Moynihan (478) in his article in the journal of cancer surveys suggested that as men struggle to put forward serious strategies of fighting prostate cancer, a very strict and serious anti-cancer diet should be the first strategy to be implemented. According to his research, Milk, sugar and red meat were outlined as the top foods that fed the ‘weed’. These foods generally fatten the body and this increases chances of reoccurrence or even initial development of cancer. The research pointed out that extra fat brings about inflammation in the body thus leading to cancer because it ties up the immune system. All in all, the effects of masculinity cannot always be controlled by many men. Research indicates that different types of diet can lower antigen levels that may be very useful in managing prostate cancer. As mentioned earlier, very few men adopt the various methods of dietary change in dealing with prostate cancer. This then indicates that there is a need to make men understand better the reasons of the choices they make. The study also focused on the qualitative perception of men and their diets after the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The study also focused on the factors that underpinned the changes in diet (Satia & Galanko 146). The research design was very similar to other research designs that are used to investigate various aspects. Individual interviews were scheduled for men between the ages of forty-eight and seventy-eight who had undergone a prostate cancer diagnosis. The findings that preceded this research showed that all the men exhibited varied dietary patterns. In this research, major domains of diet were outlined. Ideals of diet were seen as masculine and very important. This later suggested that masculinity influenced the way men reacted to dietary changes and how quick they effected the dietary changes. A clearer understanding of the way masculinity affects food choice might be a very important strategy in rescuing the men who disregard dietary changes that are aimed at strengthening their well-being (Moore & Dalley 92). Keen studies that have been conducted on the effects of diet on the progression of prostate cancer have revealed that whereas prostate cancer may be intimidating at times, it is the personal responsibility of the victims to choose what to subscribe to as far as treatment is concerned (Aaron 167). The result remains that diet is very vital whether one is on medication or under intensive care. These studies have revealed that it is very important that victims of prostrate cancer communicate with their doctor in order to know the correct ways of laying down a dietary strategy. For many men, discussions with doctors may lower their masculinity because they never want to feel defeated. At the end of the day, the victim suffers pain and is exposed to the dangers of prostate cancer. The findings in the research narrow down to the way individuals view the idea of diet as a measure in managing prostate cancer. Ultimately, diet is very primary in every illness. This then means that ignoring the fact that diet plays a vital role may lead to unnecessary risks associated with prostate cancer. The discussion may exclude those suffering from different forms of cancer. The idea of diet applies during treatment, after treatment and life after the therapies have been introduced on one’s body. Another observation that comes out is that prostate cancer may lead to seriously irreversible outcomes and this should give men the rationale to take the matter of dietary adjustment very seriously. Issues of impotence are very common in men suffering from prostate cancer. Research has been conducted more than once and the findings have led to several campaigns that are geared towards ensuring that there are no more infections of prostate cancer in men. In case there is no success, then the campaigns are not taken seriously (Moore & Dalley 132). It has been observed in major research procedures that those men who refuse to follow proper dietary practices may force clinicians to intervene. The idea of freedom to choose does not always apply to irresponsible individuals. Whereas each man would want to keep his sicknesses private, it is important to note that masculinity should be connected with good health. Proper dietary practices have been seen to improve the well-being of men with prostate cancer. This then means that the influence of masculinity on diet changes should dealt with accordingly. There being no choice and that the health of these men depends upon the diet, many have been forced to comply with it but still keep many things to themselves because they still want to viewed as very strong men (Prior & Waxman 70). Unlike women, men have always avoided medical consultation. Women are used to visiting doctors during pregnancy as well as menstrual problems. These facts then put a view in their minds that they can deal with illnesses their own way even when pain is associated with the illness. This research then is very vital in putting future measures of dealing with the issue of the few men who are not able to see doctors for advice concerning their conditions, not because they are comfortable with their lives but because they feel they may lower their level of masculinity. Many men suffering from prostate cancer should therefore use the diet adjustment strategy to improve their wellbeing (Prior & Waxman 70). Conclusion The research has brought clear viewpoints in which prostate cancer and its effects have been highlighted. In view of these effects, several measures of managing the disease have been proposed. Clinical measures have been incorporated and combined with dietary measures which have been said to reduce the reoccurrence of the disease. The research has also put the prevalence of the disease as a threat in one of every six men in America. Researchers who have gone out of their way to find out the causes have brought forward several factors that only highlight the risk associated with the development of this disease. Factors that contribute to its growth include the age factor, historical background of a family as well as the race. Ultimately, the main cause of cancer has not yet been determined, but the ways to avoid becoming a victim of prostate cancer have been clear and there have been campaigns to help create awareness on the vulnerable parties. Overall, medication of prostrate cancer has many risks and side effects. In controlling the growth of this medical condition, care should be taken so as not to give way to another disease as a result of the effects of the treatment strategy. This has made clinicians to recommend diet as the best measure to live well with cancer because it reduces the chances of reoccurrence as well as the speed of its progression. Among the possible threats, red meat has been identified as the primary cause of prostate cancer. Vegetables and fruits in ones diet have been very beneficial in reducing the risk associated with the development of the disease. Medicines have been the option of many in treating prostate cancer. Overall, these medicines come with very many risks and side effects that are irreversible even with further clinical intervention. A nutritious diet is able to keep a prostate cancer victim as fit as possible. It also helps him to cope with the side effects of earlier of corresponding treatment. Therefore, food safety is vital to patients associated with cancer of any type. Foods that are low in saturated fat have been seen to help people living with prostate cancer to improve their well-being. Food safety has been seen to be another useful measure in reducing further infections by ensuring their food is very hygienically good. This involves keeping raw meat away from other cooked food. Self health has been the resolution of many men due to the fact that they have not been able to visit doctors regularly in order to monitor the progress of the disease. The reason for this is that men have always put wanted to maintain their social position in the society and to prove that they are men enough. They do not want to be viewed as weak individuals who will always visit a doctor even with petty illness. Even with the seriousness associated with cancer; these men have decided to remain in the normal diet procedures so as to maintain their masculinity in the society. The development of nutrition interventions that are purely men-centered has engaged these men in adjusting their feeding habits that in many ways have promote their health and given way to a number of health benefits. The research also exposed the fact that the reoccurrence of prostate cancer depends on the diet that the victim embraces. Reoccurrence decreases if the patient is on the correct diet. Progression also slows down depending on the diet. Masculinity is a social basis in which men think they can always take care of themselves. Many men suffering from prostate cancer have therefore sought not to use the diet adjustment strategy to improve their wellbeing. It is common that men do not cry over illness and therefore the chances of visiting a doctor are very low. This has been propelled by the knowledge they have that clinical methods have led to severe outcomes that include impotence. The research brings very particular attention to the way diet has brought about the progression of prostate cancer. This research has also revealed that it is very important that victims communicate with their doctor in order to know the correct ways of laying down a dietary strategy. For many men, discussions with doctors may lower their masculinity because they never want to feel defeated. Individual interviews have not been very instrumental in finding out the factual practices of men suffering from prostate cancer. This is because of their reluctance to respond to the questions. Questionnaires have been seen to give better results due to the confidentiality involved. These questionnaires have revealed that so many men are now adopting the dietary change strategy so as to deal with cancer in what they call the ‘silent way’. A model that was developed a model that highlighted the behavioral aspects of men with prostate cancer and the actual outcomes. Source: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2009. A critical evaluation of this research then brings its attention to all men who are at the risk of prostate cancer. It can be very logical to state that it only takes a man to take action after the outcomes of a certain disease have become very unfavorable and that the effects are very irreversible. The idea of diet should not apply only to men suffering from prostate cancer. Neither should it focus on only those at risk. Diet is a very universal strategy of the wellbeing of humanity. Therefore, even after the treatment of this disease, diet should be prioritized in order to witness the usefulness of proper dietary practice that is based on food safety as well as appropriateness. Prostate cancer has always been viewed as a weed. The foods associated with its progression can be said to be a fertilizer. Milk, sugar and red meat have been said to feed the weed and thereby taking over one’s body. At the same time, research pointed out that extra fat brings about inflammation in the body leading to cancer because it ties up the immune system. Therefore it is only an individual who can take up the choice of deciding on what measure to take up as a strategy on improving his wellbeing. References Katz, Aaron. Guide to Prostate Health: From Conventional to Holistic Therapies. Freedom Press. 2006. Print Moore and Dalley. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Maryland: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 1999. Print Morgan and Scott. Bodies in a social landscape. Body Matters: Essays on the Sociology of the Body. London: The Falmer Press. 1993. Print Moynihan, C. Testicular cancer: the psychological problems of patients and their relatives, Cancer Surveys, 6.3 (1987): 477–510. Print Prior and Waxman, J. Localized prostate cancer: can we do better? British Medical Journal, 320 (2000): 69–70. Print Satia and Galanko. Demographic, behavioral, psychosocial, and dietary correlates of cancer screening in African Americans. Journal of Health Care Poor Underserved. 2007 Nov;18(Suppl 4):146-164. Read More