Prostate cancer prevention: Ways to reduce your risk

Date Updated: 10/08/2024

If you're worried about your risk of prostate cancer, you may want to know ways to help prevent it.

Researchers haven't found a sure way to prevent prostate cancer. Study results often conflict with each other. And most studies aren't designed to prove whether something can prevent prostate cancer.

But healthcare professionals suggest that people with an average risk of prostate cancer make healthy lifestyle choices for prostate cancer prevention. Many of the things you can do for prostate cancer prevention are things that may help improve your health in general. Here are some good choices to make.

Choose low-fat foods

Foods that have fats include meats, nuts, oils, and dairy products, such as milk and cheese.

In some studies, those who ate the highest amount of fat each day had an increased risk of prostate cancer. This doesn't prove that eating excess fat causes prostate cancer. Other studies haven't found this link.

But cutting the amount of fat you eat each day has other plusses. For instance, cutting fat can help you control your weight and improve heart health.

To cut fat, limit fatty foods or choose low-fat foods. For instance, add less fat to foods when cooking. Choose leaner cuts of meat. Eat low-fat or reduced-fat dairy products.

Eat more fruits and vegetables each day

Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and nutrients that are thought to cut the risk of prostate cancer. Eating more fruits and vegetables also tends to be filling, so you have less room for other foods that aren't as healthy.

To eat more fruits and vegetables each day, add an extra fruit or vegetable serving to each meal. Eat fruits and vegetables for snacks.

Cut down on dairy

In some studies, those who ate the most milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products each day had the highest risk of prostate cancer. But study results have been mixed. The risk linked to dairy products is thought to be small.

Be at a healthy weight

People who are obese may have a higher risk of prostate cancer. Obesity means a body mass index of 30 or higher. If you carry excess weight, work on losing it. Cut the number of calories you eat each day and exercise more.

To stay at a healthy weight, exercise most days of the week. Choose healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Exercise most days of the week

Most studies of exercise and prostate cancer risk have shown that those who exercise may have a lower risk of prostate cancer than those who don't.

Exercise helps your health in many ways. It may lower your risk of heart disease and other cancers. Exercise can help you stay at a healthy weight or lose weight if you need to.

If you don't already exercise, make an appointment with your healthcare professional to make sure it's OK for you to get started. When you begin exercising, go slowly. Find ways to add physical activity to your day. For example, park your car farther away from where you're going. Take stairs instead of elevators.

Aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity or a mix of the two.

Don't smoke

Not all studies have found a link between smoking and prostate cancer. But some studies show that people with prostate cancer who smoke have a higher risk of the cancer coming back. They also have a higher risk of the cancer spreading beyond the prostate.

If you smoke, talk with your healthcare professional about ways to quit.

Talk with your healthcare professional about your risk

Some people have a higher risk of prostate cancer. For instance, having a family history of prostate cancer can raise your risk.

For those with a very high risk of prostate cancer, there may be other ways to lower risk. These might include medicines. If you think you have a high risk of prostate cancer, talk with your health professional.