The prostate gland surrounds part of the male urethra and is a component of the male reproductive system. Cancer of the prostate occurs mostly in men over 50 and, according to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer yearly in the United States. Although about 30,000 men die from the disease every year, more than 2 million American men have survived prostate cancer. Adding healthy vegetables and fruits to the diet may help lower the risk of getting prostate cancer. This strategy may also slow the growth of cancer that is already present and it may help cancer patients have a better response to treatment.
Causes and Risk Factors
Changes in the DNA of normal prostate cancer cells cause them to become cancerous. Certain genes that control growth become abnormal, stimulating the cells to divide uncontrollably and produce tumors. A small number of cancer-causing genes are inherited, but many other mutations develop during a man's life, according to the American Cancer Society. These mutations may be linked to high levels of male sex hormones or other hormones, or to prior inflammation of the prostate.
Influence of Diet
Eating a good, healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits may lower the risk of developing prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends consuming at least five servings of these foods daily. In patients who have prostate cancer, a positive response to treatment is very important for a successful recovery. Several studies suggest that consuming certain foods such as broccoli and tomatoes may improve the response of patients to chemotherapy drugs.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a very healthy food that contains several anti-oxidant vitamins and important minerals. They also provide a natural substance called lycopene, a compound that gives tomatoes their red color. Lycopene may significantly lower the risk for prostate cancer. In a study of 40,000 men at Harvard, men who ate abundant tomatoes or tomato-based foods had a 35 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men who ate less of these foods. Lycopene is present in fresh tomatoes and also in cooked tomato products, such as spaghetti sauce.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a nutritious vegetable that contains several vitamins and minerals. It may also help men at risk for prostate cancer decrease the likelihood they will develop the disease. Recent studies suggest that relatively low amounts of broccoli in the diet, even just a few portions weekly, may affect prostate cell behavior and make these cells less likely to become cancerous. Sulforaphane, a chemical found in broccoli, may be the substance responsible for this positive effect.
Combining Broccoli and Tomatoes
Laboratory studies suggest that a diet combining broccoli and tomatoes may be more beneficial in reducing the growth rate of cancerous prostate tumors than a diet containing only one of these vegetables. These studies also suggest it is important to consume the whole foods rather than supplements containing their components. Diet strategies should not replace other treatments such as anti-cancer drugs, but may be a good approach to supplement them. Cancer patients should consult a doctor before altering their diets to determine an appropriate regimen.
References
- Science Daily: Worried About Prostate Cancer? Tomato-Broccoli Combo Shown To Be Effective
- Science Daily: Cancer Treatment: How Eating Fruit And Vegetables Can Improve Cancer Patients' Response To Chemotherapy
- Science Daily: Anti-Cancer Effects of Broccoli Ingredient Explained
- Science Daily: Eating Broccoli May Keep Prostate Cancer Away, Study Suggests
- Healthy Castle: Lycopene in Tomatoes
