Survivorship: Living with and beyond prostate cancer – Healthy Lifestyle

Below you will find information on lifestyle choices that can have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being and can help you reduce your risk for disease. For information about lifestyle, nutrition and wellness resources, please call one of our Health Education Centers at:

Sacramento (Point West) (916) 614-4035

Roseville (Eureka) (916) 784-5775

Folsom (916) 817-5278

Nutrition

Diets that contain high levels of vegetables, particularly cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts) have been associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Studies have also suggested that foods high in fat, especially from animal sources, may increase the risk of the disease.  Some key things to remember about diet include:

  • Ensure your plate is half vegetable
  • Choose fruits for snacks and dessert
  • Limit meat – ¼ of plate
  • Try more vegetarian meals
  • Choose whole grain bread, brown rice and try alternative, high fiber carbohydrates such as quinoa or bulgur
  • Limit intake of high sugar foods as the calories in these add up quickly and can contribute to weight gain
  • Limit processed food

To learn more about eating more vegetarian foods, register for our Vegetarian Nutrition Class by calling (916) 614-4035.  To meet with a Registered Dietitian for an individual appointment, please ask your doctor to refer you to Nutritional Services. 

Healthy Body Weight

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health and can help you prevent and control many diseases and conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.  Body mass index (BMI) is a useful tool to measure if one is overweight or obese. A BMI greater than 25 but less than 30 indicates overweight. A BMI greater than 30 indicates obesity.

Calculate your BMI here: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/BMI/bmicalc.htm.

Exercise

There is no better medicine than exercise. Not only does exercise help prevent heart attacks and reduce the risk of cancer and diabetes, it also has a positive effect on mood and can boost your ability to fight off infection.

Activity guidelines for adults:

  • A minimum of 2 ½ hours of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise per week.
  • Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes and ideally, activity is spread throughout the week (you could start with 30 minutes, five days per week).
  • Muscle-strengthening activities should be done on two or more days a week to achieve the unique benefits of strengthening activities.
  • Older adults who cannot do 2 ½ hours of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic activity a week because of chronic conditions, should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions allow.

In the beginning, you may get tired quickly. Do not be discouraged and do as much as you can. You can start with a few minutes each time and gradually increase the length and the intensity of exercise. You do not have to go to the gym to exercise. You can walk, jog, garden, do yoga, as well as many other forms of physical activities.

Osteoporosis prevention

Studies show that men who receive hormone deprivation therapy for prostate cancer have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and broken bones.  Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising and not smoking can reduce your risk for osteoporosis.  Some individuals on hormone deprivation therapy may require calcium or vitamin D supplements, check with your doctor to see if you need these supplements.

Vitamins/minerals

Eating a well-balanced diet should provide you with enough vitamins and minerals to meet your needs.  As mentioned above, calcium and vitamin D may be required for those patients who receive hormone deprivation therapy.

Quit Tobacco

Although smoking has not been implicated directly as a risk factor for prostate cancer, quitting smoking can improve your overall health. Our staff uses a range of methods to help each patient find alternative, healthy ways to resist the craving to smoke, and to quit smoking permanently. We understand the unique challenge of wanting to stop smoking while dealing with the stresses of recovery and the fear of recurrence.  Contact (916) 746-4369 to learn about Kaiser Permanente’s Quite Tobacco resources. 

Alcohol

Excessive alcohol is associated with increased risk of some cancers and cancer recurrence. Excess alcohol intake is defined as more than two drinks per night for a man and one drink per night for a woman.

Below you will find information on lifestyle choice that can have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being and can help you reduce your risk for disease. For information about lifestyle, nutrition and wellness resources, please call one of our Health Education Centers at:

Sacramento (Point West) (916) 614-4035

Roseville (Eureka) (916) 784-5775

Folsom (916) 817-5278

[top title=”Top of page”]
Other Languages. external page © 2017 Kaiser Permanente

Most features are available only to members receiving care at Kaiser Permanente medical facilities.

Kaiser Permanente health plans around the country: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., in Northern and Southern California and Hawaii • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Nine Piedmont Center, 3495 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404-364-7000 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., 2101 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, 500 NE Multnomah St., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232