The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 180,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer just this year. These diagnoses will lead to roughly 26,000 deaths. Unfortunately, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men (behind skin cancer). However, it’s always better to be proactive rather than reactive, so we’ve created a list in spirit of Prostate Awareness Month to help reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer.
Maintain a healthy diet.
While staying in generally good health is obvious, it should not be overlooked. A few key points to consider while deciding upon your healthy diet – be sure to cut out excess fats. In some studies, men who had a high fat intake (meats, nuts, oils, dairy, etc.) had an increased chance of developing prostate cancer. Regardless, fats are important in your diet, so it’s crucial to maintain fat intake from plants. Lastly, don’t forget your fruits and vegetables. They make for a great snack and are full of vitamins and nutrients that are critical for a healthy diet.
Watch your weight.
Being overweight is never beneficial to your health and should be avoided for endless reasons, especially if you want to reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Men who have a BMI of 30+ are at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. If you’re already at a healthy weight, you’ll have nothing to worry about. For those that need a little bit of trimming down, it’s crucial to start cutting out your unhealthy eating habits to shed some pounds.
Exercise Regularly.
Exercise has numerous health benefits for everyone—you simply can’t go wrong with a healthy amount of exercise. If you’ve been slacking on hitting the gym, don’t worry. A few easy ways to get some extra fitness in your normal routine is by parking further away from where you’re going. Walk the extra 5 minutes to get your heart pumping. Find little ways to incorporate healthy choices in your life and you’ll be well on your way to reducing your risk of prostate cancer.
Incorporate fish into your diet.
While our other tips have been to generally stay in good health, this one is a bit more specific. If you’re a fan of fish on your plate, you’ll be ecstatic. If you’re not a big fan, we apologize in advance. Several studies have pointed to fish as a protective shield from prostate cancer due to the omega-3 fatty acids. Warning: Too much omega-3 fatty acids can reverse the benefits. So, moderation is key when eating fish for dinner.
Unfortunately, there are no conclusive recommendations to reduce your risk in prostate cancer. However, good health is always a deterrent for cancers/diseases. Prostate cancer research has been growing and expanding within the last few years, so we hope for more conclusive answers. In the meantime, stick to our list by maintaining your health and serving some fish for dinner every once in while. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family. You never know, it could save a life.