Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Prevention in Southern California
There’s no single solution to prevent prostate cancer. Instead, doctors encourage men to maintain a healthy lifestyle and get regular screenings to lower their risk. Our compassionate cancer care services at Dignity Health Southern California are designed to keep you healthy, so we offer the recommended cancer screenings for men, including screening for prostate cancer.
To begin screening for prostate cancer in Southern California, Find a Doctor today who can determine which exam is best for you.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Risk factors don’t mean that you will definitely get prostate cancer. However, certain characteristics might increase your chance of developing the disease.
Some proven risk factors are:
- Strong family history of prostate cancer
- Genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2
- African-American race
- Age, prostate cancer is mostly found in men older than 65
You can always talk with your Dignity Health Southern California hospital doctor to see if you’re at a higher risk for getting prostate cancer.
How to Prevent Prostate Cancer
There are some risk factors for prostate cancer you can control. To lower your chances of getting prostate cancer, we encourage you to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and eat a balanced diet that includes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Smoking can also contribute to developing prostate cancer, so quitting tobacco use will also lower your risk.
There are some studies that indicate aspirin and vitamin supplements may help prevent prostate cancer or deaths from the disease.
Screening for Prostate Cancer at Dignity Health Southern California
There are two main screening tests for prostate cancer. These screenings are useful for detecting cancer before symptoms appear.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
A PSA test is a blood test that shows the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. High levels of PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
During a DRE, a doctor will feel the prostate for growths by using a gloved, lubricated finger.
Prostate cancer begins with being proactive about your overall physical health. Along with positive lifestyle choices and regular screenings, you can lower your risk for developing prostate cancer. Talk to a doctor at a Dignity Health Southern California hospital, with locations in Long Beach, Northridge, Downtown LA, Glendale, and San Bernardino, about screening and the best ways to reduce your risk.
Dignity Health provides guidance on the prevention of prostate cancer in Southern California.