Prostate cancer impacts one out of every nine men. While this statistic may seem unsettling, the disease is 99 percent treatable when it’s detected early. There are also a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer and support your overall health on a daily basis.
Here are five ways to help prevent prostate cancer:
1. Educate yourself
By taking this short quiz, you can determine your risk of developing prostate cancer. Early detection significantly increases survival rates. Age, family history, race, diet, and lifestyle are all important risk factors.
2. Get screened
Screenings are crucial to early detection since in its earliest stages, prostate cancer is almost always symptomless. Talk to your doctor to find out if you should be screened.
3. Pay attention to what you eat
Reduce your saturated fat intake by limiting the amount of red meat and dairy you eat. Try to incorporate more fish and brightly-colored fruits and vegetables into your diet. Eating to reduce your risk of prostate cancer is beneficial to your overall health as well. This wellness guide has tips on what to eat.
4. Aim for a low-stress lifestyle
Stress is a fact of life, but there are practical ways to reduce stress. Refer to the above wellness guide for tips on ways to lead a more relaxing lifestyle.
5. Quit smoking
Smoking increases your risk of getting prostate cancer, along with many other cancers. If you smoke, get help quitting.
Learn more
Independence Blue Cross has partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) to raise awareness about this highly preventable disease. Visit pcf.org/ibx/ for more information on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
This article was originally published on IBX Insights.
About Sarah Bishop
I’m a writer and bookworm who loves learning and writing about the latest health and wellness topics. Like a true Gemini, I’m a walking dichotomy. I like kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, but I also like ice cream, fried chicken, and cheese. So, I’m always fighting the good fight. As the mom of two little girls, I strive to model healthy habits that my daughters will carry with them for life.