How Can You Prevent Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is one of the leading types of cancer for men in the United States. Following just skin cancer, prostate cancer affects millions of men. In fact, it’s estimated that roughly 1 in 9 men will eventually develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Prostate cancer tends to develop in men as they grow older, which is why early detection and regular screenings are so important for men as they reach middle age.

Doctors still haven’t identified a specific cause of prostate cancer, but there are several things you can do to help reduce your risk. A healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise are two effective ways to lower your risk. Additionally, many men take prostate health supplements, such as Prostate 911, to protect their prostate health. Here, we’re taking a closer look at prostate cancer, prostate cancer treatment, and steps that every man can take to lower his risk of developing prostate cancer. Many of these steps will also improve your overall health.

What is the Prostate?

Day to day, you probably don’t even think about your prostate that often. However, maintaining proper prostate health is important for men of all ages. The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male’s reproductive system. About the size of a walnut, the prostate is located by the bladder and is responsible for producing semen. The prostate plays an important role in both healthy sexual functioning and urinary functioning for men.

What Causes Prostate Cancer?

While being one of the most common types of cancer, researchers and doctors still aren’t quite sure about the specific cause of prostate cancer. However, they have been able to identify specific risk factors that may increase someone’s chance of developing this type of cancer. Some risk factors, such as aging, are inevitable, while others, like smoking, can be addressed to lower your risk of developing prostate cancer.

Here are some the primary risk factors:

• Age: your chances of getting prostate cancer continue to increase as you get older. While it’s very rare for men under the age of 40 to develop prostate cancer, the risk steadily increases as you age. Roughly 60 percent of prostate cancer cases are found in men 65 and older.
• Family history: like many other ailments, a family history of prostate cancer can increase your risk.

How Can You Prevent Prostate Cancer?

There’s no guaranteed way to eliminate your risk of developing prostate cancer; however, there are steps you can take to lower your risk and help you maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. Studies suggest that your diet plays an important role in preventing prostate cancer.

Take a look at some of the ways you can work to prevent prostate cancer:

1. Fruits and vegetables: we were always told to eat our fruits and vegetables, right? Well, there’s a good reason. Fruits and vegetables are packed with important nutrients and vitamins that can protect your body from developing prostate cancer. Green vegetables, in particular, contain compounds that assist your body in breaking down carcinogens, which cause cancer.
2. Enjoy your tomatoes: tomatoes in particular seem to help in reducing your prostate cancer risk. Tomatoes, in addition to other red foods like watermelon, contain high amounts of lycopene, an important antioxidant. While more research is certainly needed, some studies suggest a link between high levels of lycopene in your diet and a lower risk for prostate cancer.
3. Coffee: most of us couldn’t imagine starting our day without a freshly brewed cup of coffee. If so, you may also be working to reduce your prostate cancer risk. One study suggests that drinking four to five cups of coffee a day can lower your chance of getting high-grade prostate cancer.
4. Healthy fats: fats play an important part in any diet, but it’s critical that you’re getting the right kind of fats. Studies suggest there may be a link between prostate cancer and high levels of animal fats in your diet. So, try to get your fat from healthier sources, such as nuts, seeds, and fruit. Additionally, you can use olive oil instead of butter when you’re in the kitchen.
5. Quit smoking: if you smoke tobacco products, this may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Cut back, or completely quit, smoking to lower your prostate cancer risk. It’s never too late to start. Even if you’ve smoked for years, quitting now can still dramatically lower your risk.
6. Regular exercise: light to moderate exercise can be an effective way to lower your risk of developing prostate cancer and boosting your overall health. Consider walking, jogging, bicycling, or swimming as moderate exercise options that are easy for almost anyone to begin. Regularity is key. Try to get at least 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise every day.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

If detected early, there are several effective treatment options for prostate cancer. Depending on the severity of your prostate cancer, there may be different options available. Early detection, of course, is important. This is why it’s recommended that men begin to get regular prostate exams when they enter their 40s. If you have certain risk factors, such as a family history of prostate cancer, you may want to begin even earlier.

Here are some of the most effective treatments for prostate cancer:

• Surgery to remove the prostate.
• Radiation therapy.
• Freezing or heating prostate tissue.
• Hormone therapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Immunotherapy.
• Targeted drug therapy.

Conclusion – How Can You Prevent Prostate Cancer?

After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer for men in the United States. While this form of cancer tends to not be very aggressive, it can still be very dangerous. This is why prostate cancer prevention should always be part of a man’s health plan, even when he’s younger. While you should begin regular prostate screenings in your 40s, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer. A good diet, including fruits, vegetables (especially tomatoes), healthy fats, and coffee and tea is essential. Quitting smoking and getting regular exercise are also effective ways to help prevent prostate cancer.