Simple Measurements Reveal Big Clues

The colour months are upon us. September is Blue, to help raise awareness of prostate cancer. Next month the hue changes to pink, where breast cancer is the focus.

Cancer affects one in three New Zealanders and simply cannot be ignored. While the thought that you may be presenting symptoms that could indicate may be frightening, ignoring them, or refusing to even check, will lead to far more dire consequences.

When it comes to cancers that kill men, prostate cancer is up there; third after lung and bowel cancer.

Men are traditionally a little reticent about health checks, and to be fair, health checks aren’t often the most fun you can have. However, they from the age of 40, men should be having their prostate checked annually. 

Along with regular health checks, you can increase your chances of living a cancer free life by keeping your weight within a healthy range, keeping alcohol and caffeine consumption moderate and remaining active at least three times per week, preferably more. 

The New Zealand Prostate Cancer foundation also says obesity may affect hormone levels related to prostate cancer risk, so maintaining (or getting to) a healthy weight is important.

You will never out-exercise a bad diet, nor will you out-eat a sedentary lifestyle – it is important to do both. Men tend to carry excess fat around the middle – and the classic "beer belly" is not a healthy look. Compared with the female pear shape, apples are at greater health risk because this central fat secretes hormones and other substances that promote inflammation and oxidation.

Abdominal fat also increases insulin resistance which is associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer. Men, keep an eye on your measurements around the middle – if your circumference (a tape measure around your body at belly button level) is more than 94 centimetres your health is at risk. If it is larger than 102cm you seriously need to lose weight to reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, impotence, diabetes and cancer.

For more information on prostate health see prostate.org.nz