It seems the more we know about prostate cancer, the more difficult it is to accurately predict who will develop it and who won’t. With the likelihood that one in six American men will be diagnosed in his lifetime, the odds are high – especially if you’re above age 60, African-American and/or have a family history of the disease. Even if you don’t fit those important risk factors, there are some wild cards, such as diet, exercise and early screenings, you can play to your advantage. 

Live a cleaner lifestyle
In his decades-long career of treating prostate cancer patients, Donald Sweet, MD, Medical Director on staff at the Adventist Hinsdale Hospital has studied the link between lifestyle and the disease. “Eating a healthy diet, limiting your alcohol use, and exercising are three things that could reduce your risk for prostate cancer and a host of other illnesses,” says Dr. Sweet.

In the gym
Exercise may not be a secret weapon against prostate cancer, but it can certainly keep your body fat down and give you more lean muscle mass. According to Dr. Sweet, 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least three times a week is all it takes to improve your immune system function, which could bolster your body’s ability to keep cancer-causing cells in check.

If you’re not already active, try running or jogging or high-cardio sports such as basketball or tennis. If you need something with less impact, swimming, biking and the elliptical machine can get your heart rate up without tearing down your knees.

In the fridge
There is no magic anti-prostate cancer food, but limiting red meat in favor of lean protein such as salmon is a good start. You should also add five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables to your diet each day.

Choosing fresh foods, such as spinach, asparagus, beans, broccoli, kale, cabbage and tomatoes could give your body a natural boost in B vitamins, antioxidants and other protective nutrients. Plus, it could save you from expensive supplements. “If you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet, chances are you’re already getting the vitamins you need through those foods. Put down the vitamins and pick up a tasty salad,” says Dr. Sweet. 

Before you wash it all down with a glass of milk, consider this: “Some research shows a link between dairy consumption and prostate cancer, so it may be beneficial to replace some of the dairy you eat with soy-based products,” says Dr. Sweet.

In the doctor’s office
While exercise and diet can help control some of the risk factors, nothing replaces a visit with your doctor. During a routine physical, your doctor can dispel some of the common myths around the role of stress, sexual activity and vasectomy. Here’s a hint: none of them increase the risk for prostate cancer. Even still, there is plenty to discuss with your doctor, such as when you should have your screening and which type of test you will need.

Dr. Sweet recommends a baseline PSA test starting at age 50, unless you have increased risk factors. “Detecting cancer at an early stage is the best chance we have for controlling the disease,” says Dr. Sweet. “If you have any of the age, ethnicity or family history related risk factors, you should make sure to get screened for prostate cancer by age 45,” says Dr. Sweet.

Take advantage of a FREE prostate cancer screening offered through Adventist Midwest Health by calling 866-533-7968.