Higher BMI May Have Benefits for Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer

Posted by Gregory Echt on March 15th, 2017

Men who are diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer may find their risk of death drops if their waistlines are just a little bit bigger than the norm. A recent study uncovered findings that showed more favorable survival rates for obese patients with metastatic and castration-resistant prostate cancer than their normal weight counterparts.

The study in question involved nearly 80 patients all with advanced prostate cancer. Researchers ultimately found that each unit increment of in BMI was associated with a 16 percent lower risk of death. Overall, the five-year survival rate was nearly 94 percent for men who were obese compared with about 84 percent for men who were not.

While the findings do show men with a higher BMI tended to fare better with advanced prostate cancer and survival, there are some important things for men to note before they dive into a second slice of chocolate cake. Obesity is also linked to a higher risk of developing advanced prostate cancer in the first place. That is in addition to the number of other potentially life-limiting conditions obesity is strongly associated with, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and many other forms of cancer.

Men will find their best bet to avoid advanced prostate cancer-related deaths is to avoid being diagnosed with this condition in the first place. When routine screening becomes a part of a man’s routine in mid-life, the chances of detecting cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages tends to go up.

Since all men are at risk for developing prostate cancer, it is important for men to talk with their healthcare providers about screening. The right age to begin routine screening will depend on personal risk factors, such as family history, age, diet and so on. To find out more, men should talk to their doctors. Men who are obese are also strongly urged to speak with their healthcare providers. Potential prostate cancer benefit aside, obesity can have serious consequences over the long term.

About Author

Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offers the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed implantation, high dose radiation implants, and external beam radiation with image-guided and intensity-modulated (IGRT and IMRT) capabilities.

Like it? Share it!


Gregory Echt

About the Author

Gregory Echt
Joined: September 27th, 2016
Articles Posted: 9

More by this author