Cancer follows heart disease as the second leading killer of human beings around the world.
For men, an estimated 217,000 will contract prostate cancer and as many as a 32,000 will die from it every year.
Although the exact cause of cancer is unknown, there are a number of things you can do to prevent and treat this condition so that you can enjoy a full life.
It all starts with getting regular checkups from your health care provider.
Like most cancers, early detection of the disease increases your chances of survival.
If you have never had a prostate exam or it's been a number of years since your last one, schedule an appointment with your doctor today.
1.
Lose Weight - According to the National Cancer Institute, a study showed that although weight was not a factor in the contraction of prostate cancer, obese men who had the disease were more likely to die from it than men who were at a healthy weight.
If you are overweight, this is just one more reason to trim off the pounds.
You will improve your overall health and reduce your risk of contracting a catastrophic disease but you'll increase your self-esteem and feel better about yourself.
2.
Enhance Your Diet - There are certain foods and supplements that have been shown to enhance prostate health.
Red clover contains antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the growth of cancerous tumors as well as prevent enlargement of this gland.
Omega 3 fatty acids have also been shown to reduce the cancer risk and promote good health.
You can get omega 3s from foods, like salmon and flaxseed, or you can get supplements if that is easier to incorporate into your diet.
Another good dietary choice is to increase your intake of tomatoes and tomato-based products.
Tomatoes have lycopene which is another cancer fighting substance.
3.
Know the Symptoms - As noted before, early detection increases your chances of beating prostate cancer.
Some symptoms of this disease include, frequent urination, difficulty starting or holding urine, painful or burning during urination, erectile dysfunction, blood in urine or semen, and pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, and upper thighs.
These symptoms are common in other diseases.
Therefore, the best way to determine if you have this type of cancer is to get checked by a doctor.
Taking care of your prostate is just one more way to ensure that you live a healthy life.