Chemoprevention

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) represents one of the most common cancers in male over 70 years of age in Europe. The incidence of clinical PCa varies widely between different geographical areas, being high in the USA and Northern Europe and low in Southeast Asia. But if one Japanese moves to the USA, the risk of PCa increases (Breslow et al. Int J Cancer 20:680, 1977). These results indicate there are exogenous factors that affect the risk of PCa, such as diet and environment. For its slow development, PCa is an ideal candidate for exogenous preventive measures. However, there is currently no strong evidence to suggest that dietary interventions can reduce the risk of PCa (EAU-ESTRO-SIOG guidelines on prostate cancer. Eur Assoc Urol, 2016). The aim of this chapter is to review the current scientific evidence and the most relevant epidemiological studies regarding the chemoprevention in PCa. However, the approach to study the role of chemopreventive agents lacks systemic process, and currently no dietary behavior factors are known to prevent the developing of PCa.