1. Knowing Your Prostate-Specific Risk
You can have an idea of your prostate health by tracking your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels? Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. Anything wrong with your prostate can send the gland into overdrive and elevate the levels of the protein. In fact PSA level of 4.0 -10.0 ng/mL is associated with a relative risk of prostate cancer diagnosis three to 10 times higher than that associated with a PSA level of 1.0 - 4.0 ng/mL. For this reason, your doctor might advise screening if you are a man over the age of 50, or even 40 to 45, if needed. Of course, to make sure it is prostate cancer, your doctor will need to test you further. It could mean a digital rectal exam, x-rays and ultrasound. He might even want to sample a bit of your prostate to take a closer look under the microscope.
2. Family History of Prostate Cancer
If you know of someone in your family with prostate cancer, your risk increases. Researchers say that if you have two first-degree relatives who have had it, you are looking at a five time increase in your personal risk. The more is certainly not the merrier. In fact, if prostate cancer runs in your family history, you are likely to get it even before you are past the age of 55. Researchers estimate that around three quarters of all men testing positive for prostate cancer before 56 owe it to the prostate cancer gene. If you are fortunate to live into mid-80s but with the gene, it may be more than likely that prostate cancer will strike.
3. High-Fat Foods Contribute
Those with low-fiber, high-fat diets may be asking for trouble down the road. Researchers say that foods containing saturated fats, the type you find in red meat, get converted to male hormone. And high levels of testosterone can lead to a higher risk of prostate cancer in old age. You will be better off switching over to fish with healthy fats. Try fish like trout, anchovies, bluefish and white albacore tuna instead. Other low-fat foods to try include tofu, walnuts and canola oil if you are a vegetarian. Indeed, healthy fats can save you from the risk of prostate cancer.
