Some cancers are decreasing in incidence, but there’s one cancer that’s on the rise. The incidence of prostate cancer is growing and it’s estimated that one in six men will be diagnosed with this cancer at some point in their lifetime. There’s growing evidence that diet plays a role in the risk of prostate cancer – and one dietary factor that increases the chances of getting a prostate cancer diagnosis is a diet rich in red meat. On the other hand, eating fruits and vegetables seems to lower the risk of prostate cancer. Now a new study shows another dietary factor may be important. Men who eat a high fat diet may be at a greater risk of prostate tumor than those who watch their fat intake.Fat and the Risk of Prostate Tumors
In this study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers studied the diet habits of more than 1,300 men – some of whom had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and some who were healthy. What did they find? Men who ate a high fat diet had a 153 percent greater risk of prostate tumors than men who ate a diet low in fat.
Good or Bad Fat – It Didn’t Matter
What’s more surprising about this study is the fact that any fat seemed to increase the risk – even the “good fats”. Fats are often designated as good or bad based on whether they’re heart-healthy or not. Saturated fats - found in butter and animal products - are bad; while monounsaturated fats found in nuts and olive oil and polyunsaturated fats in fatty fish and some cooking oils are believed to have beneficial effects. In this study, all fats – good or bad - raised the risk of prostate cancer. A previous Harvard study showed that trans fats which are increasingly being phased out of foods also elevate the risk of prostate tumors.
The Dilemma of What to Eat
If you’re a male with a prostate, eating a high fat diet may not work in your favor when it comes to the risk of prostate tumors. Unfortunately, this further complicates the decision about what to eat and not eat. Many men are increasing their intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more fatty fish – but this study suggests that even these good fats may raise the risk of prostate cancer. What’s a man to do?The best plan may be to reduce the total amount of dietary fat you eat on a daily basis and when fat is eat, get it from sources such as olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish which have heart healthy benefits. After all, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in this country. Stay away from processed meats and grilled meats that contain hydrocarbons which can increase the risk of cancer, and eat more fruits and vegetables – particularly cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli which are some of the best cancer fighters around.
The Bottom Line?
Limit fat and red meat, and when you do eat fats, choose ones that are heart healthy. Go heavy on the fruits and veggies and whole grains to help keep your prostate healthy for a lifetime.
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