CLEVELAND -- Prostate cancer affects millions of men; in fact, it's the most common form of cancer, next to skin cancer.

As part of NewsChannel5's "Loving Partners -- For the Man in Your Life" series, health team reporter Alicia Booth said that doctors in Cleveland are working on a medical breakthrough that might help stop prostate cancer before it starts.

Nearly 200,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year alone, Booth reported. But what if there was a way to avoid getting prostate cancer in the first place?

"I think it would be exceedingly important and exciting," said Dr. Michael Oefeliein, of University Hospitals.

Oefeliein is overseeing a project at UH that one day may help provide the answer to what keeps prostate cancer away completely.

For years, researchers have been studying people in Japan and Africa, because the incidence of prostate cancer is so low there. They tried to figure out the difference between those countries and America, and the first big thing that came to mind was diet and nutrition.

But some little pills could be a major medical breakthrough. Dietary supplements, especially vitamin E and selenium, have helped ward off other cancers, and researchers suspect they be the answer to prostate cancer.

"I wanted to be in the study because of a couple of reasons: No. 1, because it keeps me focused on it, and it's just a small thing I can do," said Dave Johnson, a study participant.

Doctors said that Johnson is one of the rare ones.

"Men have a tendency not to talk about health problems as much as women do, but we do have them, and I think it's important," Johnson said.

Being African-American puts Johnson at a high risk for prostate cancer. In addition, his father had it.

So Johnson is excited about being a part of figuring out how to prevent it for future generations.

"It makes me very happy and very proud that my husband is the way he is," said Nancy Johnson, Dave's wife.

All Johnson has to do is take the vitamin E and selenium every day, along with a multivitamin. He must also see the doctor for an exam every six months for the next 12 years.

Doctors said that project is an investment that could eventually save 30,000 lives each year.

For more information about how to become part of this trial or if you have any questions about male cancers, call a hot line at UH at (800) 641-2422.