EXPOSED: The Deadly Myths Costing Men Their Lives—Why Sex and ‘Miracle Diets’ Won’t Stop Prostate Cancer

For years, social media and word-of-mouth have fueled a dangerous illusion among men: that frequent sexual activity, herbal mixtures, and specific diets are the ultimate shield against prostate cancer.

Now, a leading expert has dropped a bombshell, shattering these comforting myths and warning that this rampant misinformation is driving a catastrophic late-detection crisis.

Speaking at the first-anniversary celebration of The Prostate Clinic (TPC) in Lagos, Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, a renowned Robotic Urological Surgeon and CEO of TPC, delivered an eye-opening reality check about the “silent killer.” His message was clear: it is time to stop relying on speculation and start looking at the science.

🛑 Myth 1: The “Sex Shield”

One of the most persistent rumors is that frequent ejaculation flushes out toxins or prevents prostate cancer. Prof. Ekwueme dismantled this completely.

“No amount of sex, unfortunately, can stop you from prostate cancer. Yes, even male gigolos will develop prostate cancer. So, it doesn’t help. I think that Africans need to know this because of the misinformation that is on social media.” — Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme

The Science: While some observational studies in the past (such as a highly publicized Harvard study) noted a correlation between high ejaculation frequency and a slightly lower risk of the disease, major medical institutions like the Mayo Clinic confirm there is no conclusive evidence that sex or ejaculation actively prevents prostate cancer. Ejaculation is not a medical shield, and relying on it as a preventive measure is a deadly gamble.

🛑 Myth 2: Miracle Diets and “Sour Salt”

From drinking pots of tomato juice for lycopene to taking soursop (“sour salt”) and unregulated herbal mixtures, men are wasting critical time on unproven dietary cures.

Ekwueme emphasized that millions of pounds have been poured into global research to find a diet that prevents prostate cancer—and all have failed.

“Nothing that you will eat can prevent you from prostate cancer,” he warned. While a good diet is essential for cardiovascular health and overall well-being, claiming it prevents prostate cancer is outright false information.

🧬 The Hard Truth: 3 Established Risk Factors

If lifestyle choices don’t cause or prevent prostate cancer, what does? Ekwueme outlined the only three scientifically established risk factors:

1. Age (The Primary Factor): Prostate cancer is rarely seen in adolescents or young adults, but the risk skyrockets with age. Autopsy studies reveal that prostate enlargement begins as early as age 30. The peak age for developing the disease is between 60 and 65.
2. Ethnicity (Being Black): Black men face a disproportionately high risk. Globally, medical data shows that 1 in 4 Black men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 8 men of other ethnicities. Furthermore, Black men are far more likely to present with aggressive forms of the disease and face higher mortality rates.
3. Family History (Genetics): Having a first-degree relative (father, brother, or uncle) with prostate cancer significantly multiplies your risk. Certain inherited gene mutations, such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (also linked to breast cancer), are known culprits. If you have a family history, you are likely to develop the disease up to seven years earlier than the general population (in your 50s instead of 60s).

⚠️ A Crisis of Silence: The UK vs. Nigeria

The reliance on unproven “mixtures” and the fear of diagnosis have created a horrifying disparity in survival rates between developed and developing nations. Ekwueme highlighted a staggering contrast in patient presentations:

Men are waiting for physical symptoms to appear before seeking help, but prostate cancer is famously asymptomatic in its early, most curable stages. By the time symptoms surface, the cancer is often incurable.

The Ultimate Wake-Up Call

Prof. Ekwueme left men with a powerful, life-saving directive: Do not wait for symptoms.

For high-risk men, especially those with a family history or of Black ethnicity, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests should begin at age 45.

Many men avoid screening because they are terrified of prostate cancer treatments affecting their sexual function. But Ekwueme offered a sobering perspective to end the debate: while men may fear losing their erections, they should be far more terrified of losing their lives to a disease that is entirely treatable if caught in time.

It is time to ditch the myths, ignore the social media speculation, and get tested.