Healthy Lifestyle Habits May Reduce Cancer Risk
- Singer and prostate cancer survivor Elton John, 76, will receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. John was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and underwent surgery for treatment.
- A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that men who improved their cardiorespiratory fitness – such as running, swimming, and cycling – by 3 percent annually are 35 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than men with declining fitness.
- Sharpe underwent brachytherapy (also called radioactive seed implementation) for treatment. This treatment is a specialized radiation treatment where doctors place radioactive “seeds” or sources close to or inside the tumor. This allows your doctor to precisely target cancer cells while leaving the surrounding healthy tissue undamaged.
- Prostate cancer does not always behave the same in every man it impacts. The cancer can be considered “low-risk” and can be slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or more aggressively, requiring more immediate treatment.
- Men at average risk of prostate cancer should consider annual screenings around age 40. Men at higher risk for the disease or have a family history of the disease should begin screening at age 40 or younger.
“Tiny Dancer” singer Elton John, 76, continues to thrive roughly seven years after his prostate cancer diagnosis. The Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) award winner will soon have a piece of his work added to the Library of Congress. John and Bernie Taupin will be honored with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at a tribute concert at DAR Constitution Hall in April.
Speaking of prostate cancer, a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that men who improved their cardiorespiratory fitness – such as running, swimming, and cycling – by 3 percent annually are 35 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than men with declining fitness. While fine details of the “Rocket Man” singer’s physical fitness are unclear, there are advantages to keeping in shape to reduce prostate cancer risk.
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Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) refers to your heart and lungs’ capacity to supply the body’s muscles with oxygen during physical exercise. Examples of cardiorespiratory exercise include running, swimming, jump rope, tennis, brisk walking, and cycling. The study included a little more than 57,000 men. When evaluating their overall fitness levels, the study found that “those with increased fitness also had a reduced risk of prostate cancer incidence compared with those with decreased fitness.”The researchers noted that a man’s cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with the chances of getting prostate cancer “but not mortality.”
Maintaining Your Fitness Helps Reduce Cancer Risk
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Elton John’s Cancer Journey
The six-time Grammy winner also battled prostate cancer. He was diagnosed in 2017 and underwent surgery to treat his cancer. Though his surgery was successful, it led to complications that landed him in the hospital for 11 days.
“I didn’t really know how close to death I was,” Elton wrote in his autobiography Me. “I was ill because I kept saying, ‘Please let me get well. I want to see my kids.’ But I had tubes coming out of every part of my body, and it took me seven weeks to recover from that when I went home.”
John’s cancer journey contributed to his decision to wrap up his career in conjunction with a desire to spend more time with his family.
More on Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It starts in the walnut-shaped prostate gland between the rectum and bladder, producing the fluid that nourishes sperm. Fortunately, most prostate cancer is caught with screening examinations.
Prostate cancer does not always behave the same in every man it impacts. The cancer can be considered “low-risk” and can be slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or more aggressively, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.
The United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommends men at average risk between the ages of 55-69 years old should talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.
The American Cancer Society recommends men at age 50 who are at average risk begin screening. Men who are at high risk of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 40. Men with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer should consider annual screenings in their 30s.
Most doctors agree that men over the age of 70 do not need screening.
SurvivorNet experts suggested that men consider factors like their family history, genes, and age when deciding whether and when to screen.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
- Urinating more often
- Waking up in the middle of the night to pee
- Blood in your urine
- Trouble getting an erection
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Pain in your back, hips, thighs, or other bones
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
Questions for Your Doctor
If you have experienced symptoms associated with prostate cancer or have a screening coming up, here are some questions you may ask your doctor:
- If I have elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, what could be causing that besides cancer?
- How long will it take to learn if my PSA levels warrant further testing?
- What are the treatment options that are best suited for me based on my risk level?
- What financial resources exist to help me with the costs associated with treatment?
- How long will my potential treatment prevent me from working or continuing normal activities?
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