Why is the impact of Prostate Cancer important to people in alberta?
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Alberta.1 About 2,215 men were diagnosed in 2015.2
- The risk of getting prostate cancer starts to rise at about age 40 and rises quickly until it peaks at about age 75. The risk for older men decreases slightly.4
- Between 1996 and 2002, the rate of new prostate cancer cases diagnosed every year increased. Between 2002 and 2015, the rate of new prostate cancer cases has substantially decreased. During this same period, the rate of dying from prostate cancer decreases every year.5
What can I do?
Experts agree that if we work together, we can prevent about 5 out of every 100 cases of prostate cancer in Alberta.2 Here’s how:
Excess weight is linked to about 1% of new prostate cancer cases in Alberta.6
To prevent cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research recommend being active3 (e.g. brisk walking) for at least 30 minutes each day and limiting sedentary habits like watching television.
Research is being conducted to determine if any of the following factors increase the risk of prostate cancer:
- a diet high in either fat and dairy products or red and processed meats
- being overweight or obese
- being exposed to pesticides
- being exposed to cadmium or chemicals used to manufacture rubber
More information on prostate cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment at MyHealth Alberta.
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