Lowering your risk for prostate cancer

• Age: The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. It is most common in men over age 65. Eighty percent of men who reach age 80 have prostate cancer.
• Race: African-American men are 60 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer when compared to Caucasian men. Japanese and African males living in their native countries have a low incidence of prostate cancer. However, rates sharply increase for these men when they immigrate to the U.S.
• Family history: A man with a father or brother who had prostate cancer is twice as likely to develop the disease. The risk is further increased if the cancer is diagnosed in family members before age 55 or it affected three or more family members.
• Where men live: Some studies have suggested that men who live in northern states may have a higher risk of dying from prostate cancer. The lack of sunlight during winter months may have a negative effect on prostate health and can be addressed with vitamin D supplementation.
  
  Within control
  
• Diet: Some research suggests that prostate cancer may be related to a high-fat diet. The best diet for prostate health is also the heart-healthy diet recommended by the American Heart Association. A diet high in the antioxidant lycopene as found in some fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon may also lower prostate cancer risk.
• Obesity: Obese men are more often diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer so it's important to lose weight and keep body mass index down.
• Exercise: A healthy lifestyle, including exercise, helps to keep obesity and a high-fat diet in check, both risk factors for prostate cancer.
• Smoking: Smokers are more often diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer so men are advised to stop smoking for better risk control.
• High calcium intake: Some studies believe that high calcium intake may also be a risk factor for developing the disease.
• Medications: Aspirin and cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) also may reduce the risk of the disease.
  
  Myths and non-risks
  The most common risk misperception is that other non-cancerous conditions of the prostate will cause prostate cancer. Some prostate conditions can cause similar symptoms to prostate cancer and should be evaluated but they do not increase the risk of prostate cancer.
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): This enlargement does not cause prostate cancer.
• Prostatitis: This is an infection in the prostate and also does not cause prostate cancer.
• Sexual activity: Studies show no correlation between sexual activity and a higher rate of prostate cancer. Similarly, having a vasectomy does not increase a man's risk for the disease.
• Alcohol: There is no link between alcohol and prostate cancer risk.
• Supplements: Beware of "doctor-proven" supplements that are heavily marketed with a promise of improving prostate health. There is no benefit proven to these medications and in fact one medication, PC-SPES, proved fatal for men 10 years ago by causing blood clots and was banned by the Food and Drug Administration. Men must realize that prostate health is a big business now and approach all supplements with caution, realizing some can cause toxic and other serious side effects.
  
  Most prostate cancer is discovered through routine screening. Most medical organizations recommend that men begin prostate cancer screening in their 50s or sooner for men who have risk factors for prostate cancer. Screenings are the essential tool in reducing risk factors for aggressive prostate cancer. Men should take full advantage of screenings and other ways of reducing their risk of this disease
  
  
  
  NOTE: Issues on this site regarding prostate cancer and treatment options, are provided for information only, and are not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional. Prostate-Report.org does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.