Cancer diagnoses are all too common. Most men know someone who’s been personally affected by the disease. According to Cancer.ca, roughly 45 per cent of men will develop it in their lifetime and cancer has already surpassed diseases of the heart as the main cause of death among Canadians in 2007.
But there are a number of foods packed with nutrients known to fight cancer. A look at some of the most common cancers among men and the best eats to arm your self against the life-threatening illness:
For the prostate: Go for garlic
According to research by Cancer.ca, the most common cancer among men (apart from non-melanoma skin cancer) is prostate cancer. Though it might not help your breath, garlic is thought to help prevent the disorder. Men’s Health UK highlighted a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that made the case for eating about three cloves a day. They found that men that did had a 50 per cent lower risk of prostate cancer than those who chowed down on less than 2 grams.
For the lungs: Something fishy
Though lung cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among both men and women, rates are higher among guys. Carnivores with a weakness for cigarettes should take note of research cite in Reader’s Digest: the combination of smoking and animal fats appears to promote lung cancer. However, the omega-3 fatty acids prevalent in foods like salmon, sardines and mackerel “appears to minimize the effect.” Better yet, just ditch the tobacco habit altogether.
For the colon: Fiber’s your friend
In the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has listed colon and rectum cancer the third most prevalent cancer among men. Sure, it may be located in an embarrassing part of your body, but the Center believes rates could be “cut by as much as 60% if all people aged 50 years or older received regular screening tests.” Fiber has long been touted as one of the best ways to keep digestive health in check, but it need not be limited to bland breakfast cereals. Realage.com suggests eating more Mexican-inspired dishes: high-fibre foods like beans and brown rice can help fend off colon polyps which can lead to colon cancer.
For the bladder: Tomato power
Next on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention list of most common cancers among men is cancer of the bladder. Fortunately, tomatoes are one of the best foods you can eat to prevent both bladder and prostrate cancer. Livestrong.com points out that the it is one of the few foods stocked with the antioxidant lycopene, which is thought to reduce the risk of bladder cancer. Though fresh tomatoes contain more of the antioxidant, we can’t help but think a garlicky tomato sauce on top on high-fibre pasta would make for an excellent, cancer-fighting entrée.
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