4 ways to reduce the risk of prostate cancer

Discover tips from medical professionals on living a healthy life to reduce your risk of prostate cancer.

Over 230,000 men will experience prostate cancer this year. It's one of the most common forms of cancer, but the positive news is that prognoses are good in cases of early detection. Even more good news is the fact that there are plenty of ways to reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer.

Low fat and smart fat diets contribute to overall health and have been linked to a significantly reduced likelihood of developing prostate cancer. There are many different sources of fat, and some are better than others.

Doctors recommend moderation in sweets, fatty foods like red meat and snacks with saturated fat such as potato chips. Other sources, like fruits, vegetables and fish, fall into the "smart fat" category, especially the latter for its high omega-3 fatty acid content.

Modern fitness wisdom rejects exercise plans that focus on bursts of activity a few times a week. Men who exercise for at least a half hour every day are significantly less likely to develop prostate cancer than men who do little to no daily exercise.

Routines should include cardiovascular exercise like jogging, jumping jacks or cycling in addition to stretches and muscle maintenance activities. Keep in mind, though, that men should consult their doctors before starting an exercise routine after surgery, illness, or any other major medical issue.

Men should talk to their doctors about including prostate health exams in their regular check-ups. This may include a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) or a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. For men who have a family history of prostate cancer or other background factors that increase risk, exams should start between the ages of 40 and 45. For those without high risk factors, testing should begin at age 50.

Prevention isn't just about reducing the risk of developing cancer, but also increasing the likelihood of triumph against the condition. Certain behaviours, like smoking and excessive drinking, significantly impact the mortality rates of men with prostate cancer, even if those behaviours haven't been linked to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer specifically.

With healthy living, knowledge of one's family medical history and good communication with health care professionals, prostate cancer is preventable and manageable.