Some of you may remember when the milkman delivered to your house once or twice a week. For our household, it was always twice a week because my brother consumed the milk and has continued throughout his life with his love for dairy products.
Did you know that one of the rarer risk factors for prostate cancer is men who consume a lot of calcium – found in dairy products? My brother was diagnosed at the age of 58.
Knowing the risk factors and family history is important for all types of cancers. For men, screening for prostate cancer may begin around the age of 55, but if there is a family history the screening may start as early as the age of 40.
Most well-known risk factors for prostate cancer:
• Age – about 6 in 10 prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65
• Race/ethnicity – prostate cancer often occurs in African American men earlier than the age of 65
• Family history – increased risk with a father or brother having been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Most prostate cancers occur in men without a family history.
Other risk factors may include large consumption of dairy products or increased calcium intake, obesity, smoking, chemical exposure and inflammation of the prostate.
The standard test for screening is the PSA (prostate specific antigen) – a blood test ordered by your primary care provider.
There is no sure way to prevent prostate cancers since most well-known risk factors can’t be modified. Nonetheless, there are a few things that can be done to lower your risk: maintain a healthy weight, be physically active, eat a well-balanced diet and schedule annual check-ups with your healthcare provider.
My brother had a prostatectomy over 5 years ago and continues to have his PSA levels frequently monitored. He is currently on medication due to recent rising levels, but continues to have fun with family, especially the grandchildren.
Blog Written by Toy Stone
