The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut. It is located below the bladder and surrounds the upper urethra - the tube that carries urine and semen through the penis. The prostate gland produces a thick clear fluid that mixes with sperm to form semen.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting men. Worrying is that most of them know nothing about this gland and, of course, can not prevent disease.

As soon as symptoms are recognized and the disease is detected in an early stage, the chances of survival increase. Urinary flow is a good indicator for prostate problems. Therefore, if you have difficulty or pain on urination, frequent urination, especially at night, or feeling of impending urination, which can not be delayed, you should go to see an urologist. These signs do not necessarily indicate the presence of prostate cancer, there may be other deseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or enlarged prostate, in which the urinary flow is restricted and therefore there will need to urinate frequently, especially at night, or acute and chronic prostatitis, when prostate gland is inflamed.

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Prostate cancer generally affects men over 50 years and about half of men in this age group have enlarged prostate. Most cancers are diagnosed in men aged between 70 and 74. One in 25 men (3.8%) dies from disease and 7 of 10 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer survive more than five years. Prostatitis can affect men at any age.

After the age of 40, experts recommend that all men do an yearly blood test, showing blood levels of a protein called PSA (prostate specific antigen). Prostate specific antigen is the most important tumor marker of prostate pathology, so it is appropriate for each man to make this annual test. If PSA level is greater than 30 ng/ml you should go to see an urologist, who will set the next additional required tests.

If in your family were or are members who suffer from prostate cancer, the risk that you will have the disease is quite high. Therefore you must inform your doctor about these problems when you go to a routine control, and also perform specific tests regularly.

Experts from the American Institute for Research on Cancer estimated that over 30% of all cancers are related to diet mistakes we make. Therefore, diet plays a primary role in preventing prostate cancer. Try to eat six servings of colorful fruits and vegetables per day and three servings of fatty fish per week (salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines). This is rich in vitamin D and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Studies show that selenium reduces the risk of prostate cancer and fight cell deterioration. Important selenium sources are broccoli, brazil nuts, seafood, asparagus, brown rice and onion. Men living in the Mediterranean have a lower risk of disease because of their diet rich in fruits, vegetables, garlic, olive oil, fish and tomatoes. The latter contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps cells to restore. According to a study conducted for six years on 47,000 men, the ones who eat 10 meals a week containing tomato-based dishes have a risk up to 45% less to develop prostate cancer. Other studies have shown that Japanese and Chinese have fewer cases of prostate cancer due to consumption of green tea. This is rich in polyphenols and help disease prevention. You should give up or limit alcohol consumption, maximum for men being 2 cups per day, and drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.

Obesity is another risk factor for cancer. Therefore you must reduce the number of kilograms, replacing saturated fats with mono and polyunsaturated. Eat meat in moderation and give up margarine, chips and other processed products. It is known that food prepared at home is the best alternative, if it is cooked healthy.

Regular physical activity helps prevent obesity and to strengthen your immune system. Studies show that sport is beneficial even for men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and are in treatment. A team of researchers in Boston found that maintaining a healthy weight and a proper diet helps cancer patients live longer. The study, involving 900 men, showed that overweight men are at a double risk of dying in five years after diagnosis than those which has a normal weight and live longer.