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