Watermelon contains a phytochemical that may lower the risk of prostate cancer.
The prostate is a gland found only in men. The prostate's two jobs are 1) to carry urine from the bladder during urination; and 2) to carry semen during sex, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). (See Reference 1.) However, the prostate can be prone to problems that can affect a man's health and his quality of life.
Instructions
Steps
1. Eat a healthy diet. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), you may be able to lower your likelihood of getting prostate cancer by changing your eating patterns. Start by eating fruits high in lycopene, a phytochemical that may lower prostate cancer risk. Watermelons, tomatoes and pink grapefruit are rich in lycopene. (See Reference 2.) The Mayo Clinic indicated that eating cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, kale and cabbage, may also protect against prostate cancer. (See Reference 3.) Additionally, the ACS recommended limiting red meat and fats to help ward off prostate cancer. (See Reference 2.)
2. Avoid heavy drinking and smoking. Studies showed that regular heavy drinking raises the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. (See Reference 3.) According to the Mayo Clinic, this means you should consume no more than two drinks per day. Drinking alcohol can substantially raise the risk of a noncancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate enlargement, according to a University of California, San Diego study published in the August 2007 issue of the "Journal of Urology." It is recommended to quit smoking. At least one study has linked smoking to an increased risk of death from prostate cancer. (See Reference 4.)
3. Get moving. Some studies suggested that high levels of physical activity, especially in older men, may lower the risk of advanced prostate cancer. (See Reference 4.) Running, speed-walking, swimming or bicycling five or more days per week should do the trick, but any exercise is better than no exercise because inactivity increases the risk of excess weight. Obesity may affect the levels of hormones related to prostate cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. (See Reference 3.) Obesity may also raise the risk of dying from the disease.
4. Be aware of symptoms. A burning sensation while urinating can signal prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate that is sometimes caused by a bacterial infection. (See Reference 1.) The symptoms of an enlarged prostate include a frequent and urgent need to urinate, incomplete emptying of the bladder, a weak urine stream and difficulty starting urination. (See References 1, 5.) Talk to your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. Both of these noncancerous prostate problems are treatable with medicines or nonsurgical procedures, according to the NIDDK.
5. Talk to your doctor about getting a prostate cancer screening. Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. (See Reference 3.) However, prostate cancer affects many more men than it kills, because prostate cancer advances very slowly. (See Reference 3.) The ACS recommended talking to your physician about the pros and cons of testing for prostate cancer starting at the age of 50 years. If prostate cancer does develop, a digital rectal examination and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test can detect the disease at its earliest, most treatable stage.
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