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Hot topic - Red wine may protect the prostate

05 October 2004 - written by Bupa's Health Information Team

Men who drink red wine may reduce their risk of prostate cancer, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Cancer, August 2004.1

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a gland found only in men. It sits just below the bladder and surrounds the tube (urethra) that carries urine from the bladder and out through the penis. The prostate produces a thick white fluid called semen, which is expelled during ejaculation.2

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a disease where cells of the prostate grow in an uncontrolled way. The mass of extra cells forms the cancer. Prostate cancer causes symptoms, such as:

  • difficulty in starting to pass urine
  • a weak flow of urine
  • dribbling of urine before or after urinating
  • a frequent need to urinate, especially at night

How common is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer occurs in men mostly over the age of 50.2 Around one in 14 men will get prostate cancer at some point in their life.3

More than 21,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.2

What causes prostate cancer?

The causes of prostate cancer are unknown but the risk of developing it increases with age. It is also thought that men with close relatives (father, uncle, brother) who have had prostate cancer are more likely to be affected.3

What did the study show about drinking red wine?

The study showed that men who drank more than four glasses of red wine a week were 50 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer. For every glass of red wine drank each week, the risk of developing prostate cancer decreased by six percent.1

In addition, the study showed that the men who drank more than four glasses of wine a week were 60 percent less likely to develop aggressive types of prostate cancer.1 Aggressive types of prostate cancer grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body, making them harder to treat successfully.

Do other types of alcohol affect prostate cancer?

This study showed that drinking other types of alcohol, such as beer, spirits or white wine, did not reduce the risk of prostate cancer.1

Why might red wine reduce the risk of prostate cancer?

Red wine contains an antioxidant called resveratrol, which is not found in other types of alcohol.

Antioxidants are thought to 'mop up' free radical molecules in the body. Free radical molecules are produced by the body's normal chemical reactions, and are thought to attack and damage body cells. Antioxidants are also found in many fruits and vegetables.

The researchers think that resveratrol may protect the prostate and be responsible for decreasing the risk of prostate cancer.1

Should I start drinking more red wine?

No. The results of this study should not encourage men to increase the amount of red wine they drink.1 Whilst research has shown that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can have health benefits, drinking too much too often can:

  • cause damage to your body (eg liver failure)
  • increase the risk of getting some diseases (eg other types of cancers, heart failure)
  • make other diseases worse

More research needs to be done to confirm that drinking red wine reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

For more information about alcohol and how it affects your health, please visit our alcohol section at http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/asp/healthy_living/lifestyle/alcohol/

What else can I do to reduce the risk of prostate cancer?

There is some evidence to suggest that diet may affect a man's risk of developing prostate cancer. A healthy balanced diet will also help to prevent other conditions, such as heart disease. Here are some easy changes you can make to your diet, which may help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer:4

  • avoid cooking methods that need fat, such as frying and roasting - try baking, steaming or grilling food
  • eat more fish (limit to no more than four portions of oily fish a week) and poultry
  • avoid eating red meat more than two to three times a week
  • avoid high-fat snacks
  • eat plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day)
  • occasionally include soya products in your diet
  • do not take high doses of vitamin supplements

For more information about eating a healthy balanced diet, please see our factsheet at http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/healthy_eating.html

How is prostate cancer treated?

The treatment for prostate cancer will depend on several factors, including age, general health and size and position of the cancer.4

  • Watchful waiting
    Sometimes no treatment is given. Prostate cancer grows very slowly and may not cause any problems. The doctor will keep a close eye on the cancer with routine check-ups.
  • Surgery
    Surgery is the most common treatment for prostate cancer. An operation called a radical prostatectomy is most often carried out. This involves removing the prostate gland, and with it, the prostate cancer. This is a major operation so it is most suitable for otherwise healthy men and is usually carried out in men under 70 years.
  • Hormone therapy
    The male hormone called testosterone can make prostate cancer grow faster. Hormone therapy is based on lowering the levels of testosterone. This reduces the size of prostate cancers but does not kill cancer cells. It is often recommended as well as surgery, or before radiotherapy.
  • Radiotherapy
    Radiotherapy involves X-ray beams being directed at the affected area(s) of the prostate to destroy the cancer cells.
  • Brachytherapy
    Brachytherapy is a new treatment, which involves implanting radioactive pellets into the prostate that destroy the cancer cells. The dose of radiation is higher than the dose given in radiotherapy.
  • Cryosurgery
    Cryosurgery is another new treatment that involves freezing the prostate to destroy it. It is not yet a routine therapy.

How was the study carried out?

The researchers interviewed 1456 men. Of these men, 753 had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The other 703 men were healthy, did not have prostate cancer and were randomly contacted by telephone and asked to take part in the study. All of the men included in the study were aged between 40 and 64.

The men filled in questionnaires about their past and present drinking habits. They also gave details, such as family history, that predicted how likely they were to develop prostate cancer.

The researchers gathered information about the aggressiveness of the cancers in the men with prostate cancer.1

Further information

Bupa resources:

External resources:

References

  1. Schoonen WM, Salinas CA, Kiemeney LALM et al. Alcohol consumption and risk of prostate cancer in middle-aged men. Int J Cancer 2004. Online ahead of print.
  2. CancerBACUP. Prostate cancer information centre.
    http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Cancertype/Prostate
  3. Cancer Research UK. About prostate cancer: risks and causes.
    http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=2718
  4. The Prostate Cancer Charity. Learn about prostate cancer.
    http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

 

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