How to protect your prostate?

Help you get to know more ways to reduce risk.

Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. As a man grows older, his risk of prostate cancer increases. The American Cancer Society (ACS)Trusted Source estimates that 174,650 American men will be newly diagnosed with this condition in 2019. However, there’s the question of how exactly to protect your prostate?

Although there is no 100% preventive measure for prostate cancer, you can reduce the risk of prostate cancer and protect your prostate by eating healthy and exercising.

Healthy diet and exercise include:

Eat red meats

Red meat has many vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that your body needs and it is a good source of protein, vitamin B, iron and zinc. But excessive red meat intake is related to health problems, such as increased cancer risk, heart disease and elevated cholesterol.

Reduce the amount of dairy products

In studies, men who ate the most dairy products — such as milk, cheese and yogurt — each day had the highest risk of prostate cancer. When consuming dairy products, choose low-fat or non-fat products. Edible dairy products with low-fat or non-fat products are a better choice.

Vegetables are good for you

The vitamins and nutrients found in fruits and vegetables may lower your risk for prostate cancer and improve your health. Vegetables contain compounds that help your body break down cancer-causing substances called carcinogens. Studies have shown that high consumption of vegetables, particularly cruciferous vegetables, is related to reducing the risk of prostate cancer.

Fish and omega-3

Fish rich in omega-3 acids may also reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Most seafood is high in protein and low in saturated fat. Fish such as salmon, trout, sardines, anchovies and herring are also high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Weight control

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential. If you are underweight or overweight, you may be at higher risk of certain health problems. The key to achieving or maintaining a healthy weight is regular exercise and healthy eating habits.

Daily exercise

Exercise helps people lose weight, improve the cardiovascular system, improve metabolism and strengthen the skeletal muscle system. Regular exercise can reduce the risk of some fatal diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

Avoid or quit smoking

When it comes to smoking, there is almost no benefit to the body, but there are endless potential harms to the body. Although there is neither related reason nor any relationship between smoking and prostate cancer. But smoking is a risk factor for prostate cancer.

Eat more tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a substance called lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant. Foods high in lycopene, such as tomatoes, may reduce the risk of lung cancer, stomach cancer or prostate cancer. And some recent studies have shown that men who consume these fruits and tomato products have a lower risk of prostate cancer than men who do not.

What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

Different people have different symptoms for prostate cancer. Some men do not have symptoms at all. If you feel uncomfortable or have symptoms that worry you, start by seeing your family doctor. 

These symptoms help you find prostate problems.

Difficulty starting urination.

Weak or interrupted flow of urine.

Frequent urination, especially at night.

Difficulty emptying the bladder.

Pain or burning during urination.

Blood in the urine or semen.

Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away.

Painful ejaculation.

Screening Tests

In addition, you can choose to screen. Screening means checking your body for cancer before you have symptoms. All screening tests have benefits and harms. Screening is recommended when the benefits outweigh the harms.

For people with a very high risk of prostate cancer, there may be other options to reduce the risk.

Fortunately, most men diagnosed with prostate cancer are able to treat and beat the disease. If you think you have a high risk of prostate cancer, please consult your doctor or contact your health care provider for a test. They might be able to help you!