Note: The following information is adapted from the American Cancer Society Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines, available online at: www.cancer.org.
Prostate cancer is related to testosterone levels, but it is not clear just how your diet might affect your risk.
Studies suggest an increased risk from eating large amounts of red meats or dairy products. Taking excessive calcium supplements has also been linked to an increased risk for more aggressive types of this cancer. In addition, there is evidence that being overweight may raise the risk of aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
As for decreasing your risk, studies suggest that certain types of vegetables or fish may be helpful. There is also evidence that vitamin E, selenium, beta-carotene, lycopene, or other antioxidant nutrients may lower your risk; however, a recent large clinical study found that vitamin E or selenium supplements did not lower the risk.
What you can do to reduce your risk:
- Keep a healthy body weight
Balancing how much energy you take in (food and drink) with the energy you use (physical activity) is the healthiest way to reduce calories. You can do this by reducing added sugars, saturated and trans fats, and alcohol, all of which provide a lot of calories but few or no nutrients. - Eat amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight
- Use standard serving sizes and read food labels so you know the number of servings you are eating
- Eat smaller portions of high-calorie foods; low-fat cakes and cookies are often high in calories
- Replace calorie-dense foods such as french fries, cheeseburgers, and pizza with vegetables, fruits, and other low-calorie foods and beverages
- When you dine out, order food low in calories, fat, and sugar, and avoid large portions
- Eat 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruits daily. This includes at every meal and for snacks. Eat a variety each day.
- Eat whole grain rice, bread, pasta, and cereals. Choose these foods over processed (refined) grains and sugars.
- Limit your refined carbohydrates (starches), such as pastries and sweetened cereals.
- Cut down on processed and red meats. Eat fish, poultry, or beans instead of beef, pork, and lamb. Choose lean cuts, eat smaller portions, and prepare them by baking, broiling, or poaching.
- Limit alcoholic beverages. Have no more than 2 drinks per day (one drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits).
- Be physically active. Exercise at least 30 minutes per day (45 to 60 minutes are preferable) at a moderate to vigorous level 5 or more days per week.
WHAT IS FIRMAGON?
FIRMAGON® is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
FIRMAGON® should not be given to people who are allergic to any of the ingredients in FIRMAGON®. It should not be given to women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. FIRMAGON® can harm an unborn baby when given to a pregnant woman.
Before receiving FIRMAGON®, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you have any heart problems, problems with balance of your body salts or electrolytes (such as, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium), or have kidney or liver problems.
The common side effects of FIRMAGON® include: hot flashes, injection site pain, redness and swelling (especially with the first dose), weight gain, increase in some liver enzymes, tiredness, hypertension, back and joint pain, chills, urinary tract infection, and decrease sex drive and trouble with erectile function (impotence).
Please see the Full Prescribing Information. You can view or download it by clicking on the link in the right-hand column of the page.
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