Prostate cancer is becoming major health problem for men in Nepal. It is more common in old age, especially after 60 years. Patients initially shows urinary symptoms, but when it spread to bones, it can cause back pain, bone fractures, urinary obstruction, and chronic kidney failure (CRF). Preventing prostate cancer can be difficult, but regular screening can ensure that if you get cancer, it will be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Dr. Simit Sapkota, MD, our oncologist at Kathmandu Cancer Center, shares tips about prevention and screening of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer, if detected early is highly curable and patient can live a normal life.
There are certain things like your age and genes which you can’t change, but you can choose healthy lifestyle by selecting certain food and exercise habits.
Healthy diet for cancer prevention
Dietary habit are related to many cancers. In general, choosing healthy and wholesome food reduces risk of many cancer including prostate cancers.
- Reduce fat intake. – Some studies have suggested that high amount of animal fat increases risk of prostate cancers.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables -A diet high in vegetables, fruits, and legumes, such as beans and peas, may lower the risk of this cancer.
- Add green tea and soybean.
- Avoid processed meat.
Get Regular Exercise and Lose Weight
Several studies suggest that men who take part in regular physical activity are less likely to develop prostate cancer or die from the disease. But why?
In a research done by Harvard University in 2700 man with early stage prostate disease, men who walked vigorously for at least 3 hours in a week had a 50 percent lower risk of death and 60% lower risk of death by prostate cancer.
The most effective method to start exercise
A balanced activity exercise for 30 minutes in most days of a week gives a strong medical advantages.
If you can’t do or don’t have time to do it at once, you can split it up into three 10-minute sections.
If you are overweight, reducing weight does wonder to your prostate health. It is observed that an overweight men, particularly with a high amount of belly fat, have an more risk of of prostate enlargement.Getting more fit, can help you with decreasing your prostate size and easing irritating and baffling urinary side effects. What’s more, weight reduction can decrease your risk for prostate infection and cancer as well.
So exercising and losing weight are some of the best things you can do to promote prostate health. Many studies show that moderate or vigorous exercise reduces risk of BPH and urinary tract symptoms and helps with prostatitis – inflammation of prostate as well. Exercise also benefits your cardio-vascular health and can help prevent other health and sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction.
What is your healthy weight ? This website from NHS can help you in calculating it.
Stop Smoking and Drink Less
Smoking has bad effect in all body cells including prostate gland. Smoking raises the chance of getting more aggressive prostate cancer growth and returning of disease after cancer treatment.
Recent studies have found that the more you drink, the greater your risk of prostate cancer.High alcohol intake, especially binge drinking, is associated with increased risk for cancer and chances of recurrence.
Screening Test for Prostate Cancer
Screening means doing tests before you have any symptoms. PSA Blood test is done to see level of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) which is used for cancer screening. PSA is a substance made by the prostate. The levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer. The PSA level may also be elevated in other conditions that affect the prostate.
Prostrate cancer screening is a controversial subject. So it is better to discuss with your doctor about pros and cons of screening and decide individually. Risk calculators like Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial Risk Calculator can help in these discussions.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that adults between 55 and 69 should discuss the pros and cons of PSA screening with their doctor before making a decision about screening. People who are 70 and older should not have routine PSA screenings for prostate cancer.
The American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society recommend that people be told the risks and benefits of testing before PSA screening occurs and then make an informed decision in consultation with their doctor.
At Kathmandu Cancer Center, a multidisciplinary team of experts works together to care for people with prostate cancer. We are one of major center for IMRT radiotherapy in prostate cancer in Nepal. Our experts offer full-range of cancer treatment with compassion and care.
To book appointment, please call 01-5091629 or contact us on Facebook messenger or whats-app.
