| Although there is considerable debate | | | | that individuals will develop other |
| about the subject of prostate cancer | | | | conditions alongside their prostate |
| prevention there is no doubt that the | | | | cancer on which attention is focused and |
| starting point is to clearly understand | | | | which ultimately results in their death. |
| the risks involved and, having done | | | | So, if you are not sure of your family |
| this, there are then many steps that can | | | | history, then a good starting point is |
| be taken to significantly reduce these | | | | to check things out if you can. If this |
| risks. | | | | is not possible, then it's probably a |
| Over the years there has been | | | | good idea to err on the side of caution |
| considerable debate about prostate | | | | and assume that the risk might be there |
| cancer and the subject of prostate | | | | rather than assume that you're in the |
| cancer prevention in particular remains | | | | clear. |
| somewhat controversial. Although, as | | | | Another important factor is that of |
| with many cancers, men do not themselves | | | | race. African American men for example, |
| cause the onset of prostate cancer, | | | | and men of African descent, are at a |
| there are certainly a number of risk | | | | greater risk than Hispanic men who, in |
| factors for developing the disease and | | | | turn, are at more risk than Caucasian |
| there is a great deal that can be done, | | | | men. The risk for an African American |
| if not to prevent it, then certainly to | | | | man is about sixty percent higher than |
| reduce the risk of developing it. | | | | that of a Caucasian man. |
| The first step in preventing prostate | | | | The next risk factor is diet and men |
| cancer is to understand that you are at | | | | living in Western countries such as the |
| risk of developing the condition and to | | | | United States or the United Kingdom are |
| know just why you are at risk. Here the | | | | at increased risk because of the high |
| starting point in understanding the risk | | | | levels of fat in many Western diets. |
| is heredity. | | | | Here for the first time is a risk factor |
| There is no doubt that men with a family | | | | that you can actually do something about |
| history of prostate cancer are at | | | | and lowering the fat in your diet and |
| greater risk and, in general, the risk | | | | eating such things as more fresh fruit |
| for a man with one close relative having | | | | and vegetables can lessen your risk |
| prostate cancer is about twice that of a | | | | quite considerably. |
| man without any family history. With two | | | | At this point we start to run into |
| close relatives this risk rises to about | | | | difficulty as, beyond the basic |
| five times that of someone with no | | | | principle of reducing fat your diet, |
| family history and with three close | | | | opinions begin to differ when it comes |
| relatives reaches a staggering | | | | to other aspects of the diet which may |
| ninety-seven percent. | | | | be helpful in prostate cancer |
| The problem here is that many men are | | | | prevention. |
| unaware of their family history, not | | | | There is little doubt that levels of |
| least because many grandfathers, fathers | | | | such things as vitamins and minerals in |
| or brothers have died from other | | | | your diet can have a dramatic effect on |
| illnesses and were perhaps never even | | | | your health generally and will certainly |
| aware of the fact they have prostate | | | | have a part to play when it comes to |
| cancer. This happens because prostate | | | | prostate health. However, determining |
| cancer will often develop late in life | | | | just which vitamins and minerals play a |
| and can be a very slow growing cancer. | | | | part is not an easy matter and is |
| As a consequence there is a good chance | | | | certainly a subject all of its own. |