Q: Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk of prostate cancer? No one in my family has had cancer

Q: Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk of prostate cancer? No one in my family has had cancer, but I just turned 55 and want to do whatever I can to stay healthy.

A: While there is no single approach to prevent prostate cancer, research has shown that certain lifestyle changes may reduce your risk of developing the disease. Considering that these behaviors also promote good health and well-being, you won't go wrong by adopting any or all of them. Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer in men, right behind skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, one in seven men will get a diagnosis of prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancers grow slowly and are slow to spread. As a result, survival rates of prostate cancer are high. The five-year survival rate is close to 100 percent. The 15-year survival rate is 95 percent.

The major risk factors for prostate cancer are age, race, family history, a diet high in red meat and animal fat, and tobacco use. About 70 percent of new cases of prostate cancer occur in men 65 and older. Men of African-American descent are at higher risk of developing the disease, and their cancers can be more aggressive. So how do you reduce your risk? Limit or skip red meat, dairy and animal fats. Opt for lean proteins like chicken, fish and turkey instead. Focus on healthy fats from plant-based sources such as olive oil and nuts. Leafy greens, whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Cooked tomatoes (which contain lycopene), cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, soy products and green tea are also recommended. Studies show that being obese or overweight is linked to higher rates of many kinds of cancer, including prostate cancer. Regular physical activity, which not only burns calories and fat but also builds muscle mass, results in a lower - and healthier - body mass index.

Tobacco plays a role in a daunting array of diseases and conditions, including prostate cancer. Cancers that are caught early are more easily treated. That makes screening important.

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