As June is Men’s Health awareness month, in this blog we are highlighting some of the common health conditions that affect men.
In males in the UK, prostate cancer is the most common cancer, with over 480,000 new cases diagnosed in 2017, accounting for 26% of all new cancer cases in males. The estimated lifetime risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is 1 in 6 (18%) for males born after 1960 in the UK.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) reports that being overweight or obese increases the risk of advanced prostate cancer
Although evidence regarding diet is not completely conclusive it is believed that it is beneficial for men to:
- Keep a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, watermelons, pink grapefruits, guava and papaya contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and kale also are good choices as they have anti cancer properties.
- Don’t smoke.
- The mineral Selenium reduces risk of prostate cancer. Include these selenium-rich foods in your diet: wheat germ, tuna, herring and other seafood and shellfish, beef liver, kidney, eggs, sunflower and sesame seeds, cashews, mushrooms, garlic and onions.
Click on here to read more on dietary advice (article first published in 2013):
