Prostate cancer: you are never too young to act

My dad was into his 70s when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, radical radiation treatment and regular check-ups have kept him going. Others in his hospital 'intake' have not been so lucky.

Whilst prostate cancer is a big killer in men - 30,000 a year in the USA, for example - many men developing the disease will die of other causes because the cancer often grows slowly (particularly in men over 60). This is no cause for complacency. Autopsies around the world show that 30% of men in their 50s and 80% of men in their 70s have prostate cancer.

Now, I've heard it said on the grapevine that testing for prostate cancer is not really necessary for the under 50s. Indeed, screening programs, even for the over 50s, are not in place in most, if not all, countries. Nevertheless, the PSA test is easy and requires a simple blood sample and results are back in a couple of days.

I had my first test at 45 - just to be on the safe side. You too could insist - it's your health and your life.

Meanwhile the Foundation for Cancer Research and Education recommends that all men take action today to prevent prostate cancer. It particluarly targets men under 35! Here's what they say:


"Research shows that a diet rich in ocean-caught fish, fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes combined with exercise and relaxation, is the key to a comprehensive approach to preventing prostate cancer. It's essential for young men to understand that simple dietary habits they adopt now can greatly reduce their risk of developing this common, but treatable form of cancer in later life".


Difficult to imagine that eating more fish and cooked tomatoes plus drinking green tea and generally being active can save your life, but if that's all it takes, why not?