Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in American men, though its cause is still largely a mystery. While many of the risk factors for prostate cancer can’t be controlled, Greater Boston Urology (GBU) urges those who are at a higher risk to participate in early-detection screenings. Research has proven that identifying prostate cancer in its early stages can drastically improve an individual’s prognosis.
Risk factors for the disease, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American men, include age, race, geographical location, and family history. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly six in 10 cases of prostate cancer are found in men over the age of 65. In addition, there is a higher instance of the disease in African-American men, who are twice as likely to die of prostate cancer as white men. Caribbean men of African ancestry also face an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Studies suggest that the disease has an inherited or genetic dynamic. Researchers have been able to identify how specific changes in DNA can turn a normal prostate cell into an abnormal cancerous cell through mutations, which can be inherited or acquired during ones lifetime. A man’s risk of developing prostate cancer doubles if he has a brother or father with the condition. If an individual has multiple relatives with prostate cancer, the threat is further perpetuated.
While these hereditary factors can’t be changed, making positive lifestyle choices combined with early-detection screenings can lower the chances of developing the disease and increase the chances of a favorable outcome if prostate cancer is developed. To reduce your risk, Greater Boston Urology encourages adoption of the following healthy habits:
- Diet: In addition to maintaining a healthy weight by consuming the correct amount of calories and engaging in regular exercise, try replacing animal-derived fats with plant-based fats. Choose olive oil over butter, and nuts and seeds over cheese. Foods rich in Omega-3’s like salmon and flaxseed have been linked to a lowered risk of developing prostate cancer. Learn more at: http://mayocl.in/1kDKKma.
- Exercise: Carve time out of your day to get at least 30 minutes of exercise. Physical activity has many benefits, including maintaining a strong heart, reducing the risk of many types of cancer, and sustaining a healthy weight. For more information on recommended exercise guidelines, visit: http://1.usa.gov/1LRJWXl.
- Professional Screenings: Visit the experts at Greater Boston Urology for regular prostate screenings. Should a biopsy be needed, Greater Boston Urology is the first and only private urology practice in Massachusetts to offer the 3D Fusion Prostate Biopsy which allows physicians to specifically target cells for biopsy that are considered suspicious for disease.
If you or someone you love is considered high-risk for developing prostate cancer, early-detection screenings are vital to diagnosing and treating the disease. Greater Boston Urology’s new 3D Fusion Biopsy Service is now available, and patients can be scheduled immediately at Greater Boston Urology’s Norwood patient care location. Call today to schedule an appointment at (855) 505-3335, or visit Greater Boston Urology online at www.greaterbostonurology.com for additional information.