PROSTATE CANCER is the second most common cancer in American men. Fortunately, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help you decrease your risk of developing it. And early detection can be valuable in treating it successfully.

What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that surrounds a man’s urethra. It produces one of the fluids that make up semen. When the prostate gland becomes cancerous, it grows abnormally and can cause problems with urination. Prostate cancer usually develops so slowly that most men don’t have any symptoms for a long time, which is why getting screened as your doctor recommends is so important.

What are the symptoms?

Any trouble with urination can be a sign of either an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. Contact your doctor if you:

• Feel pain in your stomach, pelvis, lower back, or hip.
• Have painful urination or a burning sensation when you urinate.
• Are unable to urinate
• Notice changes in your urination, such as trouble starting to urinate, a weakened stream, or the feeling that you can’t empty your bladder entirely.
• Need to urinate more often or to wake up to urinate at night.
• Have blood in your urine.

What screening tests are available?

The following two tests for prostate cancer are often used together to improve accuracy:

For a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, come of your blood will be drawn to see if you have a high level of PSA, which may indicate an enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, or a prostate infection.

For a digital rectal exam, your doctor will manually check your prostate.

The PSA test and digital rectal exam can help detect many prostate cancers early, and abnormal results don’t always mean cancer is present. If your results are abnormal in either exam, your doctor may take a sample of your prostate tissue for testing in a lab. Talk to your doctor about these tests and when you should start getting screened.

What can increase your risk of prostate cancer?

• Age – This is the biggest factor. Prostate cancer is quite common in men over 65 and over, and men 50 and over have a higher risk.
• Diet – Eating red meat and foods high in fat can put you at a higher risk.
• Genetics – Men of African descent are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• Family history – Your risk is higher if your brothers or father has had the disease.

How can you help prevent prostate cancer?

Improve your diet. You don’t have to make huge changes all at once. Building in small, manageable changes can make a big difference. Cut down on red meat and get some of your protein from fish and soybeans. Increase the amount of fresh vegetables you eat, and try to eat many different kinds. Tomatoes in particular seem to have cancer-fighting properties, whether you eat them fresh or in a sauce. Snacking on a handful of walnuts a day will add fiber and beneficial oils to your diet.

Get active. A study has shown that men over 65 who exercise at least three hours a week can reduce their risk of dying from prostate cancer by nearly 70%. Activities like running, biking, and swimming can help lower your chances of being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer or dying from the disease.

Labels: Health