Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. If caught early, it has a high cure rate. However, if left untreated, it can spread throughout the body and cause serious complications.
Prostate cancer affects over 2 million men worldwide every year. Although it’s treatable, it’s often detected too late, resulting in poor outcomes.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located at the base of the bladder, just below the penis. It produces fluid that helps keep semen healthy.
It is important to make sure that your prostate is healthy because when it isn’t healthy it can affect other areas of your body.
For example, if you have an unhealthy prostate this might be affecting your ability to urinate properly. This could lead to urinary tract infections or kidney problems.
There are certain things that you can do in order to stay on top of the health of your prostate. Luckily for you, we have created a list of 5 things you can do in order to stay on top of prostate health.
Change Your Diet
The first thing that you should try to do is change your diet. The food we consume plays a big part in our health.
When it comes to prostate health, there are some foods that you need to avoid such as processed foods.
You might be surprised to note that there are certain foods that can actually help with prostate cancer and some are even believed to help prevent prostate cancer. Some of these include:
- Salmon – Salmon is rich in omega 3 fatty acids which are known to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is linked to many types of cancers including prostate cancer. Omega 3’s also helps lower cholesterol levels.
- Blueberries – Blueberries contain antioxidants that fight free radicals. Free radicals are harmful substances that can damage cells and DNA. They are linked to many different diseases including prostate cancer.
- Broccoli – Broccoli contains sulforaphane which is thought to protect against prostate cancer. Sulforaphane works by boosting the activity of detoxifying enzymes. These enzymes work to remove toxins from the body.
- Beans – Beans are rich in fiber which makes them great for keeping your digestive system functioning well. Fiber keeps the colon clean and prevents constipation. Constipation is another risk factor for prostate cancer.
- Whole Grains – Whole grains are full of nutrients like magnesium which is essential for bone growth. Magnesium is also needed for testosterone production. Testosterone is one of the major hormones responsible for male sexual function.
In countries where the percentage of those who have prostate cancer is lower, they have common foods in their diets.
In these places, they tend to eat a lot of fish and vegetables that are high in protein. It is worth noting that in these countries their diets are low in sugar.
Sugar has been shown to increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Exercise
Another way to stay on top of your prostate health is through exercise. Exercise improves overall health and quality of life. By exercising you are keeping your organs healthy.
There are several ways that you can get more physical activity into your day. You can take walks around the block after dinner. Or you can go for a run or play basketball with friends.
If you want to start exercising regularly then you should start slowly. Start out with just 10 minutes per session. Once you feel comfortable doing this, you can gradually build up to 30 minutes per session.
As well as exercising to make sure you stay in good health, it can also help you to lose weight.
If you are someone who is overweight, then to ensure your prostate stays in good health, it would be a good idea to exercise in order to lose weight.
If you have an enlarged prostate (BPH), then losing weight can help to reduce its size.
If you are finding it difficult to lose weight then speak to a trained professional. They can guide you and give you advice on what exercises you should do to help you reach your goal.
Get Checked Regularly
One of the best things you can do to keep yourself safe from prostate cancer is to get regular checkups.
This will allow you to catch any problems early so that you can treat them before they become serious.
The American Cancer Society recommends men over 50 get screened every two years. Men under 50 should talk to their doctor about whether screening is necessary.
The first step towards getting checked is to ask your doctor if he/she thinks you need to be tested. There are different tests available for testing your prostate health.
Your doctor may recommend a digital rectal exam, blood test, urine test, or ultrasound. Each test has pros and cons.
A digital rectal exam involves inserting a gloved finger into your anus to look at the inside of your prostate.
Blood tests measure levels of certain proteins in your blood. Urine tests measure the amount of fluid coming out of your bladder.
Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of your prostate. All of these tests are used to detect prostate cancer.
The most commonly recommended method of prostate screening is the PSA test. This stands for ‘prostate-specific antigen’.
When your body produces testosterone, it releases small amounts of PSA into your bloodstream. These levels change depending on how much testosterone there is in your system.
High levels of PSA mean there is too much testosterone in your body. Low levels of PSA mean there is not enough testosterone in your body.
It is recommended that you get this test by the age of 40 to ensure that you have a record of your normal levels.
Reduce Stress
Stress is one of the biggest causes of illness in today’s society. It can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, etc. Stress can also impact your prostate health.
If you are already diagnosed with something such as BPH then stress can make symptoms such as urinary tract infections much worse.
To avoid stress, try to relax and enjoy life. Take time each day to do something enjoyable like reading, listening to music, playing sports, or taking a walk.
Try to find activities that you enjoy and don’t let work stress you out. This is obviously easier said than done but finding small ways to cut out the stressful things in your life can positively affect your prostate health.
Manage Your Hormones
Prostate cancer is more common in older men because of hormonal changes in our bodies. As we grow older, our hormone production begins to slow down.
This means that our hormones have less effect on us. When men age, it is common for them to have lower testosterone levels in their bodies.
Testosterone helps control the growth and development of male reproductive organs. Lower levels of testosterone can cause enlargement of the prostate gland.
To manage your hormones there is the option to try testosterone replacement therapy.
Final Thoughts
There are many factors that contribute to prostate cancer and overall bad prostate health, including genetics, diet, lifestyle choices, and environmental influences.
However, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer and other prostate-related issues.
By following these tips, you can keep your prostate healthy and you’ll have a much better chance of avoiding these issues.