According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), prostate cancer is now the most common type of cancer in American men. Approximately 1 in 6 men in the United States will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime, and similar rates are occurring throughout the world.

Who’s At Risk
Prostate cancer occurs in men only and the risk of developing the disease increases rapidly after age 50. More than 70 percent of all new prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over age 65.

Race is also a determining factor. African American men have the highest documented prostate cancer rate in the world. Other risk factors include heredity, a high-fat diet, and a sedentary lifestyle.

What You Can Do
To start, get active, keep your weight under control and eat a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables. The Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) also recommends that men with a family history of prostate cancer or breast cancer on their mother’s side have a yearly PSA blood test and digital rectal exam beginning between the ages of 35 and 40. Men with no family history of prostate or breast cancer should begin annual testing at 40.

The antioxidants vitamin E and selenium may also help reduce prostate cancer risk. Two previous studies into other cancers showed that vitamin E and selenium cut prostate cancer risk by 30 to 60 percent. Because of those findings, the National Cancer Institute and a network of researchers known as the Southwest Oncology Group have launched the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, or SELECT. The study will follow 32,400 healthy men, aged 55 and older (50 and older for African Americans) for 12 years.

In the meantime, the PCRI recommends both vitamin E and selenium as part of a healthy diet to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Selenium is found in meat, seafood and Brazil nuts. Good sources of vitamin E are vegetables, vegetable oil, nuts and egg yolks. Vitamin E and selenium are also found in Reliv Classic®, and Reliv Now®. SoySentials® and FibRestore® are good sources of vitamin E.

From Reliv’s Science & Health Today newsletter.