Regardless of your age, learn that the prostate gland produces the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm, and usually starts to grow after 40s. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its cause is unknown. The earlier you start to taking care of your health to prevent, the better.
What are the symptoms?
Most symptoms of cancer or BPH are similar:
- Urgency,difficulty starting, intermittent or weak urine flow.
- A sensation that your bladder doesn't empty.
- Frequent urination at night.
- Blood in your urine or painful ejaculation.
- General pain in your lower back, hips or upper thighs.
- Dull pain in your lower pelvic area or pain during urination.
Talk to your doctor, having regular checkups is crucial to staying healthy. If prostate cancer does develop, a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test may discover the problem in its earliest stages. This is the time when treatment can be most effective.
For many men a diagnosis of prostate cancer can be frightening, not only because of the threat to their lives, but because of the threat to their sexuality.
Eat right - Eat more fruits, vegetables, soy products, whole grains and fish. Fruits, vegetables and whole fibers may help you reduce your risk. Include raw or cooked tomatoes, tomato products, grapefruit and watermelon in your diet. Garlic and cruciferous vegetables such as bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower also may help fight cancer. Fish rich in the fatty acids, like salmon, herring, and mackerel, protects against prostate cancer. (*)
Regular exercise can help prevent a heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, AND may reduce your cancer risk, including prostate cancer. Regular exercise may also minimize your symptoms and reduce your risk of prostate enlargement.