For most men, prostate cancer isn’t fatal if caught early enough. Although it’s the second most common type of cancer among men in the United States (after skin cancer), prostate cancer has a five-year survival rate of 99%, according to the American Cancer Society. Still, prostate cancer comes with serious consequences for some men, so preventing it should always be a primary concern.
Foods to add to your diet
Like many diseases, your best bet for reducing your risk of developing prostate cancer is through diet and exercise.
In terms of nutrition, start by adding soy products to your diet. Soy-based foods include high concentrations of isoflavones, a chemical compound that has been known to fight inflammation in the body.
Foods like tofu, soy milk and miso are high in isoflavones, but chickpeas, alfalfa and beans are also good sources.
Omega-3 fatty acids have also been found to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Fish, walnuts, flax seeds and soybeans are high in omega-3s.
Lycopene, a compound found in tomatoes, grapefruit, watermelon and apricots, may also help reduce your risk of developing the disease.
And finally, coffee-lovers rejoice: Studies have shown that the antioxidant properties of coffee may help reduce your risk of developing not only prostate cancer, but also other types of cancer.
Foods to avoid
Some compounds in common foods can actually increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.
Although you probably know to avoid eating fried meats, sugars and high-carb foods on a regular basis, there are other foods to cross off your menu.
Grilled meats can also form chemicals that cause changes in DNA, increasing your risk of developing the disease. Likewise, the omega-6 fatty acids in vegetable oils, as well as corn, safflower, cottonseed and soybean oil, may promote the growth of cancer cells in the prostate.
Certain supplements, such as selenium and vitamin E, can increase the risk of the disease in some men.
When in doubt, talk to your doctor about a creating a dietary approach to reducing your risk of the disease, as well as ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.
