Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, and an estimated one in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease throughout their lifetime. While it can be serious, in many cases medical advancements have made recovery possible.
Though outcomes are more hopeful today, treatment can still involve invasive procedures and medications with serious side effects, particularly if your condition has gone undiagnosed for too long. Prostate cancer prevention is therefore worth intentional care and attention, especially since there are some risk factors you can control.
Here are some of the most common risk factors of prostate cancer and what you can do to address them ahead of any diagnosis.
Prostate Cancer Prevention: Knowing Your Risks
Though being vigilant about prevention can be helpful, know that there are some unchangeable factors that influence your risk of developing prostate cancer:
- Age: Your risk increases as you age, with the majority of cases occurring over the age of 65.
- Race: Black men are 70% more likely to develop prostate cancer, and are more likely to develop deadly cases.
- Family History: Having a family history of prostate cancer is a risk factor you should be aware of but cannot control. If you have a father or brother who had prostate cancer, your risk more than doubles.
Even if you have an elevated risk due to one or more conditions above, there are still many factors you can address.
Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer You Can Change
Diet
Men with diets high in fat appear to have higher rates of prostate cancer. Trans fats and saturated fats found in heavily processed foods (such as store bought baked goods or microwaveable meals) are linked to a higher risk, so choose healthy fats instead, such as nuts, seeds, and fish. Avoid or limit charred meat, which also contains harmful chemicals. Instead, eat more fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, which may have cancer-fighting properties.
Exercise
Regular physical activity reduces your prostate cancer risk. In fact, men who exercise just one to three hours a week by taking regular walks had an 86% lower risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as cycling or brisk walking, five days per week.
Weight
People who are overweight or obese don’t appear to be more likely to develop prostate cancer. But being obese does increase your risk of developing a more aggressive form. Since being at a healthy weight also supports better overall health, it makes sense to control your weight by eating well and exercising regularly.
Sex Life
We do know a healthy sex life can contribute to overall wellness, including improved heart health, stress management, and strengthened immunity. But regular ejaculation has also been linked to lower prostate cancer rates, though experts still aren’t sure why. One theory is that it could help flush out chemicals that might otherwise build up in your semen.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms to Watch For
Since prostate cancer can’t always be prevented, it’s also important to be aware of its symptoms. Early detection often leads to better outcomes. So, in addition to getting screened regularly for prostate cancer by age 50 (or 45 if you’re at a high risk, and 40 if it’s even higher), see your doctor if the following symptoms develop:
- Difficulty urinating
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Painful ejaculation
- Weak urine flow
- Blood in your urine or semen
- Difficulty fully emptying your bladder
- More frequent urination, including at night
- Persistent discomfort in the back or pelvis
Schedule a Primary Care Appointment With YourTown Health
Prostate cancer can be serious, but you can manage your risk of developing a deadly case by seeing your doctor regularly. Through primary care services like routine checkups and bloodwork, we can help you manage your health at every stage of life. Request an appointment by sending us a message online or by calling 770-463-4644.
