Approximately 1 in 7 men in the U.S. get prostate cancer, and over 27,500 die from it annually. This is the second-leading cause of male cancer-related deaths. Men don’t have much influence over the main risk factors, but making certain healthy lifestyle decisions contributes to a lower risk of developing this illness. Early detection and intervention is essential to successful treatment.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
- Only males are affected (the prostate is part of the male reproductive system)
- Being 55 or older (60% of cases occur in men 65 and up)
- A family history of prostate cancer (especially affecting close relatives)
- African-American ethnicity
- Elevated testosterone hormone levels
- Taking vitamin E or folate (folic acid) supplements for an extended time
How to Lower Your Risk of Prostate Cancer
- Exercise for at least 30-45 minutes most days of the week
- Stay at a healthy weight
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Include tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel, and other fish high in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet regularly
- Keep calcium and dairy intake to recommended levels
- Ask your doctor about treatment with dutasteride or finasteride if you have high testosterone levels
Encouraging Early Detection of Prostate Cancer
- Ask your doctor about personal risk factors to determine when you should have screenings like digital rectal exams (DREs) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests
- Early on, prostate cancer often causes no symptoms, but once they start, they often include a weak urine stream, difficulty starting or continuously peeing, bloody semen, erectile dysfunction, pelvic discomfort/pain, and bone pain; talk to your doctor right away if you experience any of these
