June is Men’s Health Month. Unfortunately, there are many cancers and diseases that men are at greater risk for than women. Sometimes men assume because of genetics that cancer is inevitable. While family history does play a role, there are definitely steps you can take to be more proactive about preventing cancer. Making some specific healthy lifestyle choices can affect your risk.
Overall, having a healthy and balanced diet will lower your risk for most cancers. Avoid too many fatty foods. One of the easiest steps is to increase the amounts of fruits and vegetables you eat. They are full of vitamins and nutrients, which are shown to decrease your cancer risk. Actually, specifically eating tomatoes and other red foods may lower your risk. Tomatoes, watermelon and other red foods get their vibrant red color from lycopene. Research has shown that men who consume these have a lower risk for prostate cancer. Cooking tomatoes can also make it easier for your body to absorb lycopene.
Try eating more fish. Omega-3, which is a type of fatty acid found in salmon, tuna and herring, can lower your risk.
Many changes will not only help lower your risk for prostate cancer but help you live a healthier life. Quitting smoking is an obvious step if you are a smoker. Incorporating exercise into your routine several days a week can also help. This can be as simple as taking a walk around your neighborhood.
Obesity also affects your cancer risk. If your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher, you have a greater chance of developing prostate cancer. Many of these tips will also help you shed a few pounds in the process.
If you would like to schedule a cancer screening or talk to a physician, call us today at 1-877-321-8452.
