Almost one man in every nine will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Those are distressing statistics about one of the most common forms of cancer that strikes men. Prostrate cancer has definite risk factors. In order to help prevent prostate cancer, keep in mind these known risk factors.

Age

The older a man gets, the higher the risk that he might get prostate cancer. Of course, you can’t control aging. But you can get prostate cancer screening on a routine basis as you age. That way if you do get prostate cancer, you can get treatment right away.

Exposure to Agent Orange

Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange while in service during the Vietnam War have a higher incidence of prostate cancer. This means that if you were exposed to Agent Orange, you should get a prostrate exam as often as your physician suggests.

Diet

Studies have shown a link between obesity and cancer. If your diet is calorie-laden, or you eat a lot of processed meats and other foods, your risk for prostate cancer is increased. Specifically, a high fat diet has been linked to prostate cancer. This is a risk factor that you are in control of. You can make dietary changes that will bring down your risk for developing this kind of cancer. Here are some dietary changes to consider.

●Switch to a plant-based diet. Plant-based diets inherently have fewer calories than other diets. They also are a low-fat diet. Remember that you don’t have to completely be a vegetarian to implement this dietary switch. Just make fresh fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes the main part of your diet instead of fatty meats.

●Eat more tomatoes. Lycopene, a nutrient found abundantly in tomatoes, has been found in anecdotal evidence to be associated with a reduced risk of developing cancer. Lycopene is also available as a supplement.

●If you must eat meats, consider switching to lean meats such as chicken or turkey. Fish and shellfish are also good additions to a low calorie diet.

Some prostate cancer risks can’t be controlled. Others, like diet, can be used to help reduce the chance of you ever getting prostate cancer.

Source:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention

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