Copyright 2006 Wendy Owen

It's much better to avoid any form of cancer than to try and treat it after it has appeared. Prostate cancer, however, is usually a slow growing form of cancer which responds well to treatment.

The first step in prostate cancer prevention is to improve your general health. Weight should be within the normal range for your height. If you are very overweight, see your doctor for advice and eat a healthy diet which is low in fatty or sugary foods. This combined with daily exercise such as walking and swimming should help.

Drink lots of water - water is vital for health. It prevents hunger and flushes toxins from the body. Six to eight glasses a day is ideal and tea and coffee doesn't count towards this!

Cut down on alcohol. There's nothing wrong with the odd drink, just don't make it a daily habit.

Lycopene - found mainly in tomatoes is an antioxidant which has a proven beneficial effect on prostate health. Studies have shown that men who consume large doses of lycopene have a much lower incidence of prostate cancer.

Lycopene is not destroyed by cooking and is hence found in tomato sauce, tomato paste and in all your favorite Italian dishes!

Isoflavones found in soy beans and it's products such as soy milk or tofu has a balancing effect on the body's hormones. Isoflavones can counter excess testosterone which can lead to prostate cancer.

Beta-carotene found in carrots and other brightly coloured vegetables can stimulate T-helper cells which prevent the development of cancer.

Selenium is an extremely important micro nutrient which is only needed in tiny amounts. Selenium can be found in certain foods, but the soils in many areas in the world are deficient in this mineral and the food cannot absorb this mineral. Supplements are beneficial is this case.

And last, but not least, a person's mental disposition can have a direct effect on the health of the body. Emotions such as anger, stress and depression can have a damaging effect on the immune system and can lead to diseases such as cancer or heart problems.

Try to let go of these damaging emotions. Practice relaxation exercises or learn Yoga or qigong. Qigong is a wonderful set of Chinese breathing exercises which can heal disease, whether physical or emotional, and allow you to experience great health.

So adopting certain changes of diet, ensuring you take supplements and keeping your emotions positive can all help in the prevention of prostate or indeed any other form of cancer.