Uncle Bob died of prostate cancer which ran in his family. The risk factors for prostate cancer include family history, age over 65, race, high saturated fat diet, and physical inactivity. Uncle Bob could have decreased his risk by eating selenium-rich foods like tomatoes and fatty fish regularly and avoiding animal fats. Annual digital rectal exams and PSA blood tests after age 50 may have helped detect prostate cancer earlier for Uncle Bob.

1. Meet uncle Bob… what about uncle Bob ? He died of prostate cancer.

2. With prostate cancer running in the family he was at high risk. The risk factors are: 1)family history 2)advancing age (men over 65 account for more than 70% of cases 3)race 4)diet high in saturated fat 5)physical inactivity

3. Possible warning signals are: difficulties and pain in urination, blood in urine, and constant pain in the lower back or hip area. It is difficult to detect and control because the causes are not known. photo credit: medicineNet

4. Had uncle Bob’s diet consisted of selenium-rich foods such as tomato & fatty fish 2 or 3 times a week and also avoided a high fat diet (especially animal fat) he could have decreased his risk of prostate cancer. photo credit: foodnetwork

5. If uncle Bob had taken preventative measures to avoid his outcome he would have had a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test once a year after age 50. photo credit: George Rogers