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Prostate Health Tips

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the No. 1 form of cancer diagnosed in men, other than skin cancer. The ACS estimates that one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, while one in 35 will die of the disease. Maintaining prostate health is essential to avoiding cancer.

  1. Lifestyle Choices

    • It is essential to maintain a healthy weight and to exercise regularly. According to Oxford Journals, obesity increases your risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. (Obesity may actually decrease your risk of developing nonaggressive cancer, but the study suggests this link may be a result of doctors testing obese men more regularly for prostate cancer.) Exercise is also important to prostate health, because it improves overall health and well being, and can help prevent obesity.

    Diet

    • Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other nutrients can help keep your prostate healthy and reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer. Bio-Medicine recommends five or more servings daily of fruits and vegetables, and lists types most noted for helping prostate health including guava, papaya, pink grapefruit, watermelon, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale. In general, fruits rich in lycopene and cruciferous vegetables are specifically noted for increasing and maintaining prostate health. Soy products, including tofu, soy flour and soy nuts, are also recommended. Also, selenium reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer, so a diet rich in foods such as tuna, herring, shellfish, seafood, wheat germ, liver, eggs, kidney, mushrooms, garlic, onions, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds can help maintain prostate health and prevent cancer.

      In addition to eating healthy foods, you shouldn't consume excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol, red or processed meat, and full-fat dairy products.

    Understand Risk Factors & Get Regular Screenings

    • Some risk factors for prostate cancer can't be changed through these methods. For example, men whose fathers or brothers had prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer. African American men are also more likely to get prostate cancer. For men who have these risk factors, the most effective step they can take to ensure the health of their prostate is to get regular screenings beginning at age 45. These screenings can catch prostate cancer early and improve the long-term prognosis.

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