One in five. That’s the number of men who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some time during their life. It is the second most common cancer among American men and attacks an important gland in the male reproductive system.
Are you at risk for prostate cancer? There are some factors that you can’t control, including age, family history and race
(African-Americans are at greater risk!).
While you can’t control some risk factors for prostate cancer, there are some that you CAN control. Smoking and obesity have been linked to increased risk and advanced stages of prostate cancer. Reduce your risk of prostate cancer (and a number of other diseases!) by quitting smoking, eating healthier (lots of plant-based foods) and getting regular exercise.
There are some dietary nutrients that may provide protection against prostate cancer, including lycopene (found in tomato products such as tomato paste, puree and sauce) and dietary folic acid (found in spinach, great northern beans, asparagus, green peas, broccoli, avocado and orange juice).
Don’t forget the importance of prostate cancer screenings! Early detection is linked to better outcomes, so ask your doctor if you should be screened for prostate cancer. Check out some additional prostate cancer information at www.cancer.gov.
