By Nathan Madison
If you’re a male over 50, no doubt you’ve wondered about your chances of contracting prostate cancer. It is, after all, the most common cancer in men, second only to lung cancer. One in five men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes. But though 20 percent of all men contract prostate cancer, only three percent of those succumb to it. Because it progresses slowly, most men with prostate cancer live with it for years, leading fairly normal lives.
Who is Most at Risk?
By Age: Men 50 and over. Prostate cancer is unusual in men under 50, but the incidence shoots up dramatically after age 50.
By Race: African American males.
By Genetics: Men with family members who have had this type of cancer.
Men with these characteristics have an increased risk of contracting prostate cancer. But even if you are a 50 year-old black man with a father and brother who have had prostate cancer, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to contract prostate cancer, just more likely than other men.
Diet does seem to play a part. In fact, if you are already eating a heart healthy diet you may be way ahead of the game. Studies show that the incidence of prostate cancer is highest in countries where the average diet contains high amounts of fat. In fact, the occurrence of prostate cancer is in direct proportion to the average total calories from fat in the country’s typical diet.
Men who eat a lot of vegetables are at lower risk, especially those who eat 28 or more servings per week. Tomatoes and tomato-related products are high in lycopene, a vitamin-like substance that is similar to an antioxidant and helps provide protection from prostate cancer. Other good sources of lycopene are watermelon and pink grapefruit. You can also take it in tablet form, though getting your lycopene in food form is preferable.
Eating certain fish, especially salmon, herring, and mackerel, is another good way to lower your risk. These fish are rich in fatty acids that protect against prostate cancer. Studies show men who ate moderate to large amounts of these fish were less likely to be prostate cancer victims.
What Can You Do?
• Eat more fruits, veggies, whole grains
• Less saturated fat, and cholesterol
• Limit sweets and salt
• Drink alcohol moderately
• Eat moderate portions and control calories
You should also get tested annually. Testing won’t prevent the disease, but if you do contract prostate cancer, treatment is most effective in the earliest stages.
If you are concerned that you may be at high risk, click here to read the symptoms of prostate cancer.
If you're concerned about your chances of contracting prostate cancer, here is a list of questions you should ask your doctor:
Questions for the Doctor
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