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Does prostate cancer increase the possibility of developing other cancers?

Yes, but it also depends on the kind of cancer and how it is treated. Prostate cancer that develops beyond the age of 60 generally does not appear to raise the chance of developing another cancer.

The most frequent malignancy in males is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer affects nearly every male who lives long enough. Therefore, the likelihood of an older man developing a different form of cancer is not higher than that of any other guy who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

An increased risk of cancer might also be caused by certain lifestyle choices. For instance, obese men have an increased risk of developing a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. Furthermore, we now know that eating a plant-based diet, exercising frequently, and keeping a healthy weight can all help reduce the chance of developing other cancers, including colon cancer, which is the third most prevalent disease in males.

Men who have had radiation therapy for prostate cancer may have a slight lifetime increase in the chance of acquiring bladder or rectal cancer. But rather than the prostate cancer per se, this has to do with the treatment.

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There are still too many PSA tests conducted on older men.

For males 70 years of age and older, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advises avoiding regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Nevertheless, two recent studies found that males in this age bracket continue to undergo too frequent PSA testing.

Researchers chose three million males who underwent routine PSA testing between 2003 and 2019 for the initial study, which appeared in Urology in April 2023. In comparison to younger men, males over the age of 70 were more likely to have high-frequency PSA testing, which is defined as testing more frequently than once every nine months.

The findings also demonstrated that, in comparison to older men examined less frequently, the older men with high-frequency testing had a considerably higher chance of undergoing prostate biopsies and being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The rates of early cancer therapy, however, were the same. This, according to the researchers, demonstrated that prostate biopsies did not significantly alter recommendations, even in cases where the results revealed malignancy.

On April 11, 2023, JAMA Network Open published a second study that surveyed over 32,000 men who were 70 years of age or older. Of the men in this age range, 55.3% had recently undergone a PSA screening. As people aged, the rate decreased, reaching 52.1% for those 75 to 79 and 39.4% for those 80 and above. Nevertheless, the study discovered that many men were still getting screening at ages older than those advised by the USPSTF, even though they would not benefit from routine PSA testing. The findings also revealed that older men often believe that PSA screening has more benefits than drawbacks. Any guy, regardless of age, should base his choice to continue PSA testing on a thoughtful conversation with his physician.
A healthy heart and lungs may shield men from several types of cancer.

According to research published online by JAMA Network Open on June 29, 2023, men who have higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness—also referred to as cardio fitness or aerobic fitness—may be able to reduce their risk of dying from cancer of the colon, lung, or prostate. More than 170,000 men had their health information gathered by researchers, and measures of their VO2 max were taken while they pedaled a stationary bike. The greatest quantity of oxygen that the body can consume during exercise is known as VO2 max. Individuals with higher VO2 max levels have better levels of aerobic fitness.

More cardio-fit men had a lower risk of dying from these malignancies after a mean follow-up period of 9.6 years. These results demonstrate that increasing aerobic exercise intensity from moderate to high levels not only benefits heart health but may also improve men's prognosis for these frequent malignancies.

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An increased body mass index (BMI) is a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis development. However, a recent study indicates that being overweight increases the risk of developing inflammatory joint diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

The study included around 362,000 people who were members of the UK Biobank, a sizable biological database, and was published online by the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology on May 23, 2023. In order to determine a participant's risk of developing any of five joint conditions—rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and inflammatory spondylitis, a form of spinal arthritis—researchers looked at the relationship between the participant's BMI and these conditions. Apart from osteoarthritis, inflammation is the primary cause of most other joint illnesses. 

Compared to those in the normal BMI range, participants with higher BMIs (substantially greater than the "normal" BMI range of 18.5 to 24.9) had higher incidences of psoriatic arthritis (80%), gout (73%), inflammatory spondylitis (34%), and rheumatoid arthritis (52%). The authors of the study found that maintaining a healthy weight can help lower the chance of acquiring a joint illness.

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Embarking on the journey to overcome addiction can be tough, and having a roadmap can make a significant difference. Research indicates that the following steps can guide you toward your recovery goals. Success is more likely when you embrace all five steps.

1. Set a meaningful quit date: Choose a date tied to a special event, birthday, or anniversary to mark the beginning of your journey.

2. Change your surroundings: Clear your home and workplace of any reminders of your addiction. Distance yourself from influences that might encourage your involvement with the substance or behavior you're trying to leave behind. Whether it's alcohol, drugs, or a specific behavior, eliminate related items from your space. If it's about quitting drinking, bid farewell to alcohol, bottle openers, wine glasses, and corkscrews. If it's gambling, remove playing cards, scratch tickets, or poker chips. Ensure others around you also respect your decision.

3. Distract yourself during cravings: Instead of succumbing to urges, engage in alternative activities. Take a walk, call a friend, or connect with family to stay occupied until the craving subsides. Be ready to face situations that trigger cravings, especially environments where others are using.

4. Reflect on past quitting attempts: Evaluate what worked and what didn't in previous attempts to quit. Understand the factors that may have led to relapse and make adjustments accordingly.

5. Build a support network: Open up to your family and friends about your journey and seek their encouragement and support. Make it clear that you're quitting, and if they are using the addictive substance, ask them to avoid doing so in your presence. If your addiction involves buying drugs, communicate with your dealer about your decision to quit and ask them not to contact you or sell you drugs. Additionally, consider consulting your healthcare provider to explore the most suitable quitting method for you, including potential medications that could ease the process and increase your chances of success.

For more insights on navigating the path to recovery, explore "Overcoming Addiction," a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.

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