Risk factors
Your risk for prostate cancer increases with:
Race: Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than men of other races. Prostate cancer is often more advanced and aggressive in black men.
Age: The average age at which prostate cancer is diagnosed in men worldwide is 55years. In Africa, the age at diagnosis is as low as 40years.
Family History: if your close relative, father or brother(s), have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your risk for the disease is twice more than other men.
Diet: Research indicates that diet rich in fruits and vegetables can protect you against prostate cancer. However, a high fat diet consisting mainly of red meat and dairy products can increase your chance of getting prostate cancer. In addition, obese men tend to have more aggressive types of prostate cancer.
Environmental factors: Men who work in agricultural and mining industries may have increased risk of prostate cancer due to exposure to certain chemicals
Prevention
Certain factors such as age, sex and race cannot be changed but you can reduce your risk for prostate cancer by:
Sticking to a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables: Choose healthy fats options like omega-3 from fish and nuts and reduce intake of saturated and trans-fats found in red meats and processed foods. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. For instance, lycopene found in tomatoes, antioxidants in berries and sulforaphane in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage are good for prostate health.
Maintaining a healthy weight: You should work to maintain a healthy weight by incorporating exercise into your lifestyle and reducing the number of calories you consume each day. Being obese puts you at risk for aggressive prostate cancer and other forms of cancer. Speak to your doctor about what a healthy weight is for you.
Quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake: Quitting smoking lowers your risk of getting prostate and many other forms of cancer. In addition, alcohol should be consumed in moderation.