Lifestyle Changes to Keep a Check on Prostate Cancer
Even though there is no concrete evidence that lifestyle changes prevent prostate cancer, research shows that they can certainly help reduce the risk factors. Apart from maintaining a healthy lifestyle, make sure you get screened routinely if you are a male over the age of 55 to 69-years old. While the exact risk factors for prostate cancer are still quite unknown, there are certain lifestyle changes you should make in order to reduce the risks of developing prostate cancer, such as:
1. Maintain a healthy weight
Obesity has been attributed as one of the factors for aggressive prostate cancer. You must maintain a healthy weight. There are two ways to check if your body weight is healthy. First, check that your BMI (it should not exceed 30). Secondly, check if you are obese is by wrapping a measuring tape around your waist. This could be different for both men and women. For men, if the waist size is 37 or more, it means that the person might be overweight or even obese. However, this could also differ depending on one’s stature.
2. Regular exercise
Physical activity and exercise can help keep prostate cancer at bay. While some amount of physical activity is important to stay healthy, studies have shown that men who engage in vigorous or moderate amounts of physical activity can reduce the risks of developing prostate cancer. As a result, at least a three-hour session of physical activity per week is recommended for men. Moreover, exercise can also help reduce several health issues that may occur before and after prostate cancer. Many treatments for prostate can cause issues such as urinary incontinence, which is the inability to control the flow of urine. Additionally, kegel exercises make the pelvic floor muscles strong, thereby helping improve incontinence.
3. Eat a well-balanced healthy diet
A balanced diet that has all food groups ensures that your body gets all the nutrients and energy to wade off prostate cancer. A balanced diet is one that contains all food groups like fruits and vegetables; beans, pulses, and proteins; potatoes, rice, and other starchy carbohydrates; and dairy and several alternatives. Also, you should restrict your consumption of fatty and sugary foods. Keep a check of what you are eating. There are certain food items that you should include in your diet and certain food items that you should consume in limits.
4. Avoid foods that contribute to prostate cancer
There are certain food items that are believed to contribute to the risks of developing prostate cancer. For instance, calcium and other dairy products may increase the risk of prostate cancer. On the other hand, you must include food items like lentils, soya food, pulses, and beans.
5. Using supplements to reduce the risk of prostate cancer
Before taking any supplements, make sure you consult a doctor. He or she would be able to tell you the correct usage and the effect those supplements will have on you. Though, no dietary supplement can replace a properly balanced diet; yet, even if you wish to take supplements, you shouldn’t take selenium or vitamin E supplements.