The prostate and surrounding organs
Researchers are still working to determine the best methods of preventing prostate cancer, one of the most common forms of cancer, which will affect about one in every six men in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. A healthy diet is one of the best methods of avoiding prostate cancer. Because the research is ongoing, dietary recommendations for prostate cancer prevention are constantly changing. There are, however, some general guidelines and steps to follow to keep your risk of prostate cancer as low as possible.
Instructions
1. Eat a healthy diet, with five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily and without too many high-fat foods, particularly the animal fats found in red meat. Countries in which the residents eat the highest levels of fat also tend to have the highest levels of prostate cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. The one exception is omega-3 fatty acids--found in salmon and other cold-water fish--which can help prevent some types of cancer.
2. Avoid drinking too many alcoholic beverages. Limit your alcohol intake to two glasses a day.
3. Add more soy products and legumes to your diet. Asian men have a diet high in soy protein, and they tend to have a lower prostate cancer rate than westerners, according to the Mayo Clinic. Chemicals in soy products mimic estrogen in the body, and might act as a prostate cancer preventative.
4. Opt for green tea in lieu of less healthy drinks like soda. Antioxidants in green tea can help prevent cancer.
5. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. While there is no established, direct link between prostate cancer and obesity, being overweight does affect hormone levels that can increase prostate cancer risk.
6. Talk to your doctor about medications, such as finasteride, that are undergoing trials to test their capabilities in preventing prostate cancer. The drug, which helps treat urinary problems, has also been shown to lower the risk of prostate cancer in preliminary studies, according to the American Cancer Society.
7. Undergo a prostate exam annually starting at age 40. While this will not prevent cancer from developing, it will allow doctors to catch any developing cancers early enough to treat them before they pose a fatal danger.
Tags: prostate cancer, according Mayo, according Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, best methods
