Prostate Cancer: Prevention

While there is no sure way to stay cancer-free, there are ways that can lower your risks of getting prostate cancer. In some cases, a healthcare provider may suggest using medicine to reduce your risk (see below). But there are steps you can take on your own with no prescription needed.

Building a healthy lifestyle may help in lowering your risk for prostate cancer. Here’s what to focus on—and a few tips to help you get started:

• Eat fruits vegetables, and legumes. Choose foods like tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beans, peas, and lentils. Search online for recipes that swap these ingredients into dishes you already love. For example, test out veggie lasagna or cauliflower mashed potatoes. Plus, keep takeout to a minimum. Opt for smaller portion sizes. You can eat high-fat meals and dairy products occasionally. It’s true, foods like hamburgers, sausage, cheese, and ice cream are delicious. But they may raise your risk for cancer if eaten regularly. Instead, fill your plate with lean meats, fish, and low-fat or nonfat dairy foods that you enjoy.

• Use caution with calcium. Normal amounts of calcium in dairy foods and drinks are fine. But talk with your healthcare provider before taking calcium supplements. Too much calcium may raise your risk for prostate cancer.

• Find ways to move more. Pick physical activities you enjoy and can do for at least 30 minutes of medium-intensity on most days. To help you stay on track—and to make things more fun—invite friends or family to join you.

• Stay at a weight that supports your health goals. Extra weight is linked to a higher risk for a more serious type of prostate cancer. Choosing healthy foods and adding movement to each day will help. Ask your healthcare provider for help staying at or getting to your goal weight.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s OK. Remember: You don’t have to change everything overnight. Gradually introduce new healthy habits into your life. Make it a goal to try lots of different foods and activities to find what you like best. And most importantly, know that the best healthy habits are the ones you can maintain.

How can medicine help?

Some people have a higher risk for prostate cancer because of factors they can’t control. These factors include age, race, and family history. If any of these put you at an increased risk, your healthcare provider may talk with you about taking 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) such as finasteride and dutasteride. They come as tablets or capsules that you swallow.

These medicines are most often used to treat an enlarged prostate that does not have cancer. Certain studies have shown that these medicines may lower prostate cancer risk. But they sometimes have unpleasant side effects. The FDA has not approved 5-ARIs to specifically prevent prostate cancer. Ask your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of these medicines and if they’re right for you.