Tips to Prevent Prostate Cancer

Tips to Prevent Prostate Cancer

One of the most common cancers among men in the United States, prostate cancer affects one in nine men in the country. While there is no solid prevention method to avoid it completely, there are some prevention tips for prostate cancer that can help avoid the high-risk category for the illness. These tips are mainly diet-related.

  • Consumption of red foods
    Red foods get the color from lycopene, which is a potent antioxidant. An increased or regular intake of foods rich in lycopene has shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men. Some fruits that are rich in lycopene include tomatoes and watermelon. Some studies have also indicated that the more red the tomatoes, the more lycopene it will have and that cooking it makes it easier for a person’s body to absorb it.
  • Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables
    Fruits and vegetables are rich in various kinds of nutrients. Consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables also keeps one from eating other processed foods, which are not ideal for the body. Special categories of food like green leafy vegetables contain compounds that can help the body fight against carcinogens. Carcinogens are the substances or cells in the body that cause cancer.
  • Don’t go easy on the coffee
    Drinking four to five cups of coffee in a day has been associated with lowering the risk of getting fatal prostate cancer. One must consume at least three cups of coffee in a day to have some effect on the prostate. The preparation of the coffee also makes a difference; the ones prepared by boiling without a filter are more effective than those made in other ways. However, caffeine is also linked to a number of health conditions. It is recommended to keep the total consumption level of caffeine to below 400 milligrams. Speak to a doctor before adopting a habit of drinking coffee as one of the prevention tips for prostate cancer.
  • Exercise regularly
    Being obese is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Make time for exercising; even if you are not overweight, stay in the best shape and maintain a healthy weight. Simple forms of exercise like cycling, walking, running, or swimming are good enough to stay active, maintain metabolism, and reduce the risk of getting an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
  • Speak to your doctor
    Besides making changes to your lifestyle, you may also want to speak to your doctor about what you can do to detect prostate cancer in the early stages. This can help in addressing the illness and its progression. Tell your doctor about any history of the illness in your family and inquire about any regular screening tests you can take for your age.