Maintaining Good Health Even When You're Busy

Over 60? 3 Ways You Can Help Prevent Prostate Cancer

by Caitlin Obara

If you are over 60, you should do what you can to help prevent prostate cancer. This is because the average age of a man developing this type of cancer is 66, and one man in seven will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Below are some tips on what you can do to avoid getting this type of cancer. These things will not 100% prevent it but they will help.

Prostate Cancer Screening

It is important that you have prostate cancer screening when your doctor tells you to. Finding the cancer early greatly increases your chance of survival. In many cases, this type of cancer grows very slowly or it may not grow at all.

During the screening, a nurse or the doctor will insert a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum. They do this to determine the size of your prostrate, as well as feel for any abnormalities, such as lumps. The doctor may also do a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. This test will show how much PSA is in your blood, which can help them determine if you have prostate cancer.

Lose Weight

If you are overweight, you should get down to your normal weight. This is because the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) has said that approximately one in 10 cases of prostate cancer is related to having excess body fat.

If you have been trying to lose weight without success, see your doctor. They can help you by suggesting a dietitian to help you develop a good eating plan. Eat a diet low in fat and increase the amount of vegetables and fruits you eat. Remove all unhealthy food from your home so you are not tempted to eat it.

You also need to make sure you exercise regularly. Join a gym if you are finding it hard to do at home. Gyms have trainers that can show you the best types of exercises you can do to lose your body fat.

Ejaculate More

According to a study done by Harvard's Health Professionals, men that ejaculated over 21 times per month had a 33% lower risk of developing prostate cancer. This ejaculation can come from having sex, masturbation, and nocturnal emissions. It is not exactly known why this is, but it is thought that when a man ejaculates they empty their prostrate of harmful substances that may cause prostate cancer.

Talk with your doctor about other things you can to do help reduce your chances of developing prostate cancer.

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