September isn’t just about the changing seasons. It’s also Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which overlaps with Urology Awareness Month. That makes it the perfect time to have an honest conversation about men’s health particularly prostate health, lifestyle, and fertility.
Prostate cancer isn’t always easy to talk about, but awareness and action can save lives and protect future fertility. Whether you’re in your 20s thinking about starting a family or older and focusing on long-term health, the choices you make today matter.
What Is Prostate Cancer & Why Awareness Matters
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland just below the bladder. Its job? To help produce semen, the fluid that carries sperm. Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate grow abnormally. Some types grow slowly and may never cause problems, while others are more aggressive.
Here are some key facts to set the scene:
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK — with more than 52,000 men diagnosed each year. (Prostate Cancer UK)
- Around 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime, but for Black men it’s 1 in 4. (Prostate Cancer UK)
- About 12,000 men die from prostate cancer each year in the UK — roughly one every hour. (Prostate Cancer UK)
- Survival rates are high when caught early: more than 9 in 10 men survive for 5 years or more after diagnosis. (Cancer Research UK)
Awareness really does matter — because early detection can make all the difference.
Lifestyle Links: How Daily Habits Affect Prostate Health
You can’t change your age, ethnicity, or family history. But you can influence your prostate health through lifestyle. These same habits also support fertility, making them doubly important.
Diet and Weight
- Being overweight or obese is linked to a higher risk of advanced prostate cancer. (WCRF)
- Diets rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are protective, while diets high in processed meat and excess fat may increase risk.
- Nutrient-dense foods like tomatoes (rich in lycopene), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower), and oily fish (omega-3s) show promise for both prostate health and fertility.
Physical Activity
- Regular exercise helps control weight and improves hormone balance.
- Men who exercise after a diagnosis may also improve survival outcomes. (PubMed)
- Aim for at least three sessions of aerobic activity per week, plus resistance training.
Smoking and Alcohol
- Smoking is linked with more aggressive prostate cancer and higher risk of recurrence. Quitting reduces risks over time. (Prostate Cancer UK)
- Excessive drinking harms overall health. NHS guidance is no more than 14 units per week, spread over several days. (NHS)
Supplements and Nutrition
- Evidence is mixed on supplements like vitamin E and selenium. The safest approach is a balanced diet rich in whole foods.
- Omega-3, vitamin D, zinc, and antioxidants are linked to both sperm health and general wellbeing. If considering supplements, consult a healthcare professional first.
Prostate Cancer and Fertility: The Overlooked Connection
When we talk about prostate cancer, fertility isn’t usually part of the conversation — but it should be. Treatments that save lives can also affect the ability to have children naturally.
How Treatments Affect Fertility
- Surgery (radical prostatectomy): removes the prostate and seminal vesicles. After this, men usually cannot ejaculate semen, even though sperm is still produced in the testicles. This makes natural conception very unlikely. (Cancer Research UK)
- Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy: can damage sperm quality, reduce sperm count, or stop sperm production altogether.
Fertility Preservation and Options
- Sperm banking (cryopreservation): before treatment, men are advised to freeze sperm for future use. This gives the best chance of having biological children later. (Cancer Research UK)
- Assisted reproduction: IVF or ICSI may still be possible after treatment, depending on sperm quality and recovery.
The key message: if you’re ever diagnosed, act quickly to explore fertility preservation. And even before diagnosis, knowing your sperm health gives you peace of mind and options for the future.
Taking Action This Awareness Month
Awareness only works if it leads to action. Here’s how to make this month count:
- Know the symptoms
Trouble urinating, blood in urine or semen, pain in the pelvic area, or changes in sexual function should all be checked by a doctor. - Understand your risk
- Over age 50? Talk to your GP about prostate checks.
- From a Black African or Caribbean background, or have a family history? Start conversations earlier, from age 45.
- Make small lifestyle changes
- Add more fruit, veg, and whole grains to your meals.
- Cut back on processed meats and alcohol.
- Exercise regularly and quit smoking if you can.
- Test your fertility
Sperm health is often overlooked until it’s a problem. With at-home sperm tests like ExSeed, you can check your total motile sperm count, motility, and concentration in 20 minutes and get expert guidance on improving results. - Think about the future
If you ever face a diagnosis, discuss sperm banking before starting treatment. It’s a safeguard for your family-building options. - Share awareness
Talking about prostate cancer breaks stigma. Sharing this information may encourage a friend, father, or brother to act sooner.
Conclusion: Your Health, Your Future
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder to protect your health and fertility with small, proactive steps.
Taking simple steps now — eating better, exercising more, checking in with your GP, and understanding your fertility can make a huge difference for your future.
Don’t wait for symptoms. Don’t wait for a diagnosis. Take action today.
ExSeed Health can support you on the fertility side with clinic-grade home sperm testing and practical tools to improve sperm quality. Combined with lifestyle changes, this is one way to protect both your health and your future family.
