Simple ways to reduce the risk of prostate cancer
By Nmami Agarwal 27-Mar 2022 Reading Time: 4 Mins
Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in males. It is a small organ which is located in the pelvis of men next to the bladder. Prostate cancer is a type of cancer wherein a lump is formed in the prostate region.
The growth in the prostate could be benign ( non-cancerous) or malignant ( cancerous ).
Let’s dig deep into benign and malignant growth.
Benign growth
- It is not much life-threatening as it does not spread to the other tissues or parts of the body.
- The possibilities of growing back are reduced.
Malignant growth
They seem to be life-threatening because they sometimes spread to the other parts like bladder, rectum & lymph nodes. They usually grow back after being operated.
There is no proven prostate prevention strategy. But by making healthy choices this risk can be reduced to a greater extent. In general, doctors recommend good dietary habits along with exercise.
Here are some simple measures which can be implied in daily routine:
1. Improve Your Diet
Diet plays a key role in every diseased condition. Though researchers have not found out any component which triggers the risk of prostate cancer, the surface level studies suggest some foods which should be avoided like high saturated fats.
Include more fruits and vegetables as they have vitamins which consist of antioxidants that help in fighting free radicals.
2. Make a habit of exercising regularly
Men with a BMI of more than 30 fall under the category of obesity which is a leading cause of prostate cancer. Maintaining a healthy body weight through exercise will reduce the risk.
Exercising daily comes with lots of health benefits like reduced inflammation, improvement in immune function and shedding off extra fat which is ultimately an effect of a sedentary lifestyle.
3. Say No to alcohol and smoking
Moderation in everything is safe. As such, there is no evidence that increased consumption of liquor leads to prostate cancer. But still, these substances should be consumed in a limited amount.
4. Get daily dose of Vitamin D
All vitamins are essential to the body and mind. Vitamin D helps in preventing prostate cancer. Spend more time in sunlight.
Include salmon, mushrooms, cheese, egg yolks, fortified foods, and more.
5. Early screening
Early screening or pre-diagnosis will help in managing the condition and prevent it from spreading more. Two common tests are performed Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test and Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). This will surely help in better treatment and less complication.
It is not easy to find out which tumor will grow and cause a problem. But if something goes wrong then you should immediately consult with a doctor.