Prostate Cancer Risks
Prostate cancer is curable if you get to it in time, even better is to change your lifestyle to reduce this risk. Early diagnosis is one preventative measure that a yearly or twice yearly check can help with. It can be the test that saves your life! If you are over 40 and never have had your prostate checked, you need to bring it up with your doctor.
Age is the biggest risk factor, across the board, for men when it comes to prostate cancer. The truth is that prostate cancer is most common in men over fifty years of age. Once you hit a certain age (usually 40 years of age), your doctor will likely start checking your prostate at each yearly exam. Many men try to avoid the doctor because they fear the prostate exam. However, it is something done quickly and typically without too much discomfort. So, there is nothing to be afraid of.
Studies show that your racial identity is another factor that should be looked at when trying to figure out your specific risk for prostate cancer. African-Americans are at most risk for prostate cancer, according to studies. Americans and Europeans are next in line for being most at risk according to race. Interestingly, Asians from the East and Southeast areas are least likely to get prostate cancer.
Your family history is another big risk factor to consider when evaluating your risk of prostate cancer. Those men who know of a male family member that has had prostate cancer are twice as likely to get it themselves. In fact, if your father or grandfather had prostate cancer, you are much more likely to be at risk for prostate cancer too. So, it is important to tell your doctor if a male in your family has suffered with prostate cancer. That way you and your doctor can be more aware and check your prostate more often or do blood work more often.
Recently, doctors have realized that diet has a lot to do with a male’s risk of getting prostate cancer. Studies are quite varied when it comes to linking diet to prostate cancer however, so there is nothing concrete at this point. When you try to eat healthier, your chances for cancer of any type are typically reduced. When you exercise regularly, your body will be healthier as well. Even if you do get diagnosed with cancer, your body will be more apt to be able to handle the stresses of the treatment. So, eat healthy and exercise regularly so you won’t be at more of a risk for prostate cancer.
There are certain types of fruits and vegetables that are said to prevent many types of cancers. Tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon which are rich is substances called lycopenes that prevents damage to the DNA can significantly lower risk of acquiring prostate cancer in men.
These types of fruits and vegetables can readily be found in supermarkets and are easy to prepare. You can even eat these raw and they taste good too. The rule of thumb in cancer prevention is to take in as much fiber as possible. Fibers are known and proven to have some preventive effects in almost all types of cancers.
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