Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to keep your prostate healthy.
Understanding your risk for prostate cancer is a good start. A few factors that may increase your risk include:
- Being 50 years of age or older
- African-American race
- Family history – Having a father or brother with prostate cancer doubles your risk of the disease
Even if you’re at lower risk, it doesn’t hurt to take steps to improve your prostate health. Here are five things you can do:
- Consider getting a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test – This test is used to screen for prostate cancer by measuring the amount of PSA in your blood. Elevated levels of PSA may indicate prostate cancer. Based on your test results, your doctor may recommend a prostate biopsy to obtain more information.The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends doctors should only order PSA tests for men between the ages of 55 to 69 and only after discussing the pros and cons with the patient.
- Eat a balanced diet – Include plenty of vegetables, fruit, lean protein, whole grains and healthy fats. Do your best to limit red meat and high-fat dairy products.
- Maintain a healthy weight – Regular exercise can help you stay trim. Aim to get 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week, about five 30-minute workouts.
- Quit smoking – If you’re struggling to quit, consider joining Edward-Elmhurst Health’s smoking cessation program.
- Reduce stress – Spend time with family and friends, take a yoga class, meditate, get enough sleep – these are just a few ways you can lower your stress level.
To learn more about keeping your prostate healthy, visit us online or call 630-527-7730.
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