By Roseanne Schoen
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 217,730 men will learn they have prostate cancer and more than 32,050 men will die from the disease this year.
Today, 1 man in 6 will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only 1 man in 34 will die of this disease. More than 2 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today. When detected during these earliest stages the 5-year survival rate is close to 100%. In an effort to educate and inform the public, the American Cancer Society recognizes September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some tips to prevent prostate cancer:
1. Keep a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
2. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, watermelons, pink grapefruits, guava and papaya contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and kale also are good choices.
3. Let your doctor know if you have a family history of prostate cancer. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing this disease.
4. Include more soy in your diet from sources such as tofu, soy nuts or soy flour or powders.
5. Don’t smoke.
6. Eat more selenium-rich foods such as wheat germ, tuna, herring and other seafood and shellfish, beef liver, kidney, eggs, sunflower and sesame seeds, cashews, mushrooms, garlic and onions. Selenium reduces risk of prostate cancer.
7. Get a PSA blood test and digital rectal exam annually, beginning at age 50. Men at high risk, such as African American men or men with a strong family history of prostate cancer should begin testing at age 45.