Prostate Cancer Canada

Risk Factors

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In The News

Prostate Cancer Awareness Day at BC Legislative Assembly
VICTORIA, May 4, 2012- On Monday, May 7, Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) will host their first Legislative Assembly Day to promote education and awareness of prostate cancer in British Columbia.

Media Advisory - Prostate Cancer Canada celebrates local Halifax hero
HALIFAX, April 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Please join Prostate Cancer Canada and members of the Halifax business community as we celebrate a local hero who has made an extraordinary contribution in the fight against prostate cancer through courage, inspiration and dedication.

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Diet

Diet is linked to prostate cancer. A low fat diet may help prevent prostate cancer.

Prostate tumours in laboratory animals grow faster in animals on a high-fat diet than a low-fat diet
Men who eat a low-fibre, high-fat diet have a higher rate of prostate cancer
Foods rich in saturated fats have been associated with increased risk of prostate cancer, possibly because they are metabolized into testosterone
The risk of prostate cancer in Asian men is five times higher in North America than in Asia: one possible reason is the high-fat North American diet

Research suggests that fat increases creation of the hormone testosterone, which may help prostate cancer cells grow.

The so-called "Western diet" that is high in red meat and animal fats and low in fibre, fruits and vegetables is linked to increased risk of obesity, heart disease and certain cancers. However, it is unknown whether it is the animal fats themselves that are the problem, or the way the red meat may be cooked. For example, charring meat on the grill can create strong cancer-causing chemicals. As well, another reason why the Western diet is bad could be the lack of fruits and vegetables.

Fish oils, on the other hand, may protect against prostate cancer. A 30+ year study which tracked more than 6,000 Swedish men found that eating fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, could reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 30 per cent. Men in the study who ate no fish had a nearly three times greater risk of developing prostate cancer.

Essential fatty acids, especially omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish like trout, anchovies, bluefish and white albacore tuna, have been proven to slow down the growth of prostate cancer cells. Omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in tofu, walnuts and canola oil. As well, leafy green vegetables as well as fruits/vegetables bright in colour (tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, etc) can contain omega-3 fatty acids, and they too can keep your prostate healthy.

For more information on the link between diet and prostate cancer, please refer to the books:

Eating Right for Life: Prostate Cancer Nutrition and You
(Available in PDF version here)

Challenging Prostate Cancer: Nutrition, Exercise and You
(Available in PDF version here)