3 Ways to Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer

Men can be at risk for certain diseases that can impact their health. One common concern is the enlargement and cancer of the prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located below the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. It is part of a man’s reproductive system and is responsible for producing fluid found in semen.

According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, a total of 8,242 new prostate cancer diagnoses were recorded in the Philippines in 2020. This accounted for 5.4% of new cases in the said year. Prostate cancer also happens to be the third most frequent type of cancer among men.

Prostate cancer tends to be more common among elderly men, with most cases being diagnosed in people 65 years old and above. It is rare among those e under 40 years old.

While prostate cancer is one of the common cancers in men, the overall prognosis is among the best of all cancers. r. But that does not mean that you should not take a diagnosis like this seriously. More importantly, there are certain preventive measures that can help lessen your risk for this condition.

Follow a healthy and balanced diet.
Opt for fiber- and nutrient-rich food that can provide lots of nutrients such as leafy green vegetables and other fruits. Food with high healthy fat content such as various fish, seeds, and nuts are good choices too.

Consider eating food rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes, guava, watermelon, and papaya. A 2020 study highlighted that lycopene may help prevent the development and spread of cancer cells in the body, and even trigger apoptosis or cell death.

Moreover, try to consume vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, red or white cabbage, bok choy, watercress, and kale. These particular vegetables contain sulforaphane, a compound that may also help prevent prostate cancer cells from developing. Sulforaphane may also act as an antioxidant that can assist in creating an environment that can repel these cells.
Know the types of food to avoid.
Skip food that is high in both trans and saturated fats. Too much of these fats in your system can create an environment that will cause the development of prostate cancer cells.

Avoid consumption of grilled and charred meat that are cooked at high temperatures . Research has shown that the frying or grilling process can lead to the formation of cancer-causing hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines.
Exercise.
Not only does exercise burn calories and allow you to maintain a healthy weight, it may also help boost your immune health and fight inflammation.

But before you go ahead and break a sweat, if you have comorbidities or existing injuries, ask your doctor for appropriate regular exercises you may do. Some exercises can exhaust your body and possibly worsen your condition. You can also consult a physical trainer who can guide you on properly executing exercises without injuring yourself.

If you have additional questions about prostate cancer or want to check the current health status of your prostate, ask your doctor about screening tests such as a digital rectal exam or a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

Should there be issues like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate, your doctor may prescribe medicines like Terazosin. Make sure to always follow the instructions and other prescriptions stated specifically by your doctor.

References:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-prevention

https://www.healthline.com/health/9-tips-to-prevent-prostate-cancer

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lycopene#food-sources https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sulforaphane#food-sources

https://www.pcf.org/patient-resources/family-cancer-risk/prostate-cancer-prevention/

https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/608-philippines-fact-sheets.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/what-is-prostate-cancer.htm

https://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/what-is-the-prostate

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6497009/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6141106/