If you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it's time to get serious about your health. Making some lifestyle changes now will help you beat the disease and reduce your chances of a recurrence. In addition to following through with your treatment plan, and adhering to the instructions provided by your oncologist, there are some other steps you can take to help you beat prostate cancer. Here are four lifestyle changes you should make right now.
1. Try to Maintain a Healthy Weight
While you're going through treatment for prostate cancer, you may notice that your weight fluctuates. If you're underweight during treatment, it's important that you work to prevent too much weight loss. One way to do that is to increase your calorie intake. Talk to your doctor about the best foods to bring your calorie intake up to an appropriate level. You may have to adjust your intake throughout treatment. If you're slightly overweight, try switching to a diet rich in fresh vegetables and lean meat.
2. Get Plenty of Fresh Air and Exercise
While you're battling prostate cancer, it's crucial that you get plenty of fresh air and exercise. You might not realize this, but your body can lose vital muscle tissue during cancer treatment. Spending a few minutes exercising each day can help you prevent muscle loss. Not only that but getting out and exercising each day can help increase your production of endorphins, those "feel good" hormones that help relieve stress and regulate your mood.
3. Start a Smoking Cessation Program
If you smoke, it's time to start a smoking cessation program. Smoking not only increases your risk of developing prostate cancer, but it also makes it harder to fight it once you're diagnosed with the disease. A smoking cessation program will help you overcome the habit without a cold-turkey approach that can be difficult to get through. Once treatment is over, continue to refrain from tobacco use. This will help reduce your chances of a recurrence of the disease.
4. Switch to Plant-Based Fats
When it comes to the fats you consume on a daily basis, it's a good idea to switch to plant-based fats. Plant-based fats reduce your risk of prostate cancer and are better for you all the way around. There are several ways to add plant-based fats to your diet, such as switching from butter to olive oil, snacking on nuts instead of candy, and adding fresh vegetables to your daily diet.
Contact your local prostate cancer treatment center for more information.
