Eat well, exercise, and consider going all in for soy and green tea.
It’s November and that means Movember is here! Movember is a charity that is leading men’s health awareness by focusing on the areas of mental health and suicide prevention, as well as awareness around prostate cancer and testicular cancer. This charity takes the month of November to bring these health issues to light.
The overall goal of Movember is to reduce the number of men dying prematurely from the above causes by 25% by the time 2030 arrives. We thought we’d focus for a moment on prostate cancer and how you can take steps to help prevent falling sick with it. Here are 5 things you can do to reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer.
Eat a Healthy Diet
There’s no single way to guarantee you won’t develop prostate cancer, and some people abide by all the advice in this list but the disease still arrives. All things being considered, however, some lifestyle factors have been shown to possibly help. A lot of it involves common sense, and is what you would normally do to stay healthy, overall.
To have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer, the Mayo Clinic recommends you choose a diet low in fat, reduce your dairy intake, and increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat. Studies have shown that men who eat the most dairy products have the highest risk of developing prostate cancer. In addition, some studies have shown that men who consume higher amounts of fat had an increased risk of the disease.
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Exercise Almost Every Day
Studies have shown men who exercise regularly have a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Aim to reach 30 minutes of exercise almost every day, as a minimum. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise regime.
Talk to Your Doctor
The Mayo Clinic points out that if you have a quite high risk of developing prostate cancer, there may be a medication that can help reduce that risk. Talking to your doctor about your personal situation can help start a dialogue that may help protect your health.
Stay at a Healthy Weight
Studies have shown that men who are obese may be at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. If you fall in this category, develop and activate a plan for losing weight. Talk to your doctor about reducing your calories and increasing the amount you exercise.
Avoid and Add
Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends you avoid eating charred meat, and add green tea and soy to your diet. Experts say clinical trials have shown that soy might lower PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels, which is a good thing. The good news: some veggie burgers are actually more tasty than you’d think.
By adapting a healthy lifestyle, you can help reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer. While you cannot alter your genetics, family history, or age, focusing on the things you can control can feel empowering and positive.
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