Oxidative Stress in Ghanaians Presenting with Prostate Cancer

Introduction: The latest estimates of global cancer incidence show that prostate cancer has become the second most common cancer among men in the world. A number of reports have linked oxidative stress to prostate cancer. Although oxidative stress has been found to be much prevalent among the Ghanaian population, no data exist on its prevalence among prostate cancer patients in Ghana. This study therefore sought to investigate oxidative stress in Ghanaians presenting with prostate cancer.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the out-patient department of the department of surgery, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, between the period of November, 2010 and April, 2012. In all, one hundred and twenty four (124) adult males (87 case subjects and 37 control subjects) aged at least forty two years were enrolled.

Results: Malondialdehyde, an oxidative stress marker, and uric acid were significantly raised whereas the measured antioxidant (vitamin C) was significantly reduced among the prostate cancer patients compared to the controls. The indication is that oxidative stress with reduced antioxidant levels is common in prostate cancer patients.

Conclusion: Oxidative stress may have a significant role in prostate cancer. Based on the findings, it may seem reasonable to propose that therapeutic regimens aimed at beefing up the antioxidant defences could help offer some degree of protection for prostate cancer patients against oxidative stress.