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5 Ways to Prevent Prostate Cancer

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22.10.2012 | By: Izabela M

... Useful information on the ways to prevent prostate cancer or at least how you can reduce the risks of developing the cancer.

There are several ways to prevent prostate cancer or reduce the risks of developing it. (PhotoXpress)

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There are several ways how men can reduce their chances of developing prostate cancer. Here is our advice, which is mainly associated with leading a healthy lifestyle and taking care of your body.

1. Test yourself

Men who turn 50 should undergo a test for prostate cancer once a year. Those who have relatives with prostate cancer should undergo such a test even sooner. This condition is very difficult to detect because there are no specific symptoms. The most visible signs of prostate cancer are problems associated with passing urine. There are two methods of examination; a laboratory test for the presence of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and a rectal examination. PSA is an enzyme released by glands. A high level of PSA doesn’t necessarily mean prostate cancer because there are other factors that have to be taken into consideration, too. The PSA level increases with age, but the normal values for men above 50 are roughly between 1 and 4 ng/ml. Higher levels can indicate that there’s an anomaly. A rectal examination isn’t as terrifying as it may sound. Your urologist or GP first examines the lower part of your abdomen and genitals and then follows the most important part of the examination. The doctor puts a gloved finger into your rectum to feel your prostate gland and check if there are any abnormal signs.

What’s a biopsy?

If any test gives rise to suspicion, your doctor proceeds with a biopsy or taking a sample of cells with a needle. This is most often done by using a transrectal ultrasound scanner, meaning that the prostate is examined by inserting a rectal ultrasound probe into your rectum. The procedure is performed under a local anesthetic to make it as painless as possible.

2. Take vitamin D

Spending time outdoors in the sun and taking food supplements enriched with vitamin D helps men reduce the risks of developing prostate cancer. It’s been proved that calcium reduces the amount of biologically active vitamin D in the body, so men who drink lots of milk should make sure that they increase the intake of vitamin D. For instance, cod fish, tuna and salmon are abundant in vitamin D.

3. Stop smoking

Along with other adverse effects on the body, smoking helps spread prostate cancer. A study conducted at the University of Baltimore, USA, in 2003 has shown that men below 55, who smoke or used to smoke, have 66% more chances of prostate cancer spreading to other parts of their body.

4. Reduce the amount of body fat

The risks of developing prostate cancer are higher if you have a lot of body fat and eat inappropriate food. If you eat animal fat and red meat too often, it can have an adverse effect on your body. Studies have shown that men who eat red meat at least five times a week are more likely to have prostate cancer than those who eat red meat less than once a week.

5. Eat different kinds of healthy food

Urologist Ihor S. Sawczuk, chief of urologic oncology for the Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, says that one of the best ways to prevent prostate cancer is a healthy diet. According to research, pomegranate, soy and food containing high values of the antioxidant lycopene, such as tomato sauce, reduce the chances of developing prostate cancer. Lycopene can be found in tomatoes, melons, red grapefruit and guava.