Men with prostate cancer more likely to die from other causes

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-07/hsop-mwp072612.php

Public release date: 26-Jul-2012
Contact: Marge Dwyer
Harvard School of Public Health
Men with prostate cancer more likely to die from other causes
Study suggests prostate cancer management should emphasize healthy lifestyle changes

Boston, MA – Men diagnosed with prostate cancer are less likely to die from the disease than from largely preventable conditions such as heart disease, according to a new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). It is the largest study to date that looks at causes of death among men with prostate cancer, and suggests that encouraging healthy lifestyle changes should play an important role in prostate cancer management.

"Our results are relevant for several million men living with prostate cancer in the United States," said first author Mara Epstein, a postdoctoral researcher at HSPH. "We hope this study will encourage physicians to use a prostate cancer diagnosis as a teachable moment to encourage a healthier lifestyle, which could improve the overall health of men with prostate cancer, increasing both the duration and quality of their life."