A recent study presented at the 2021 meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research found that men with a genetically high risk of prostate cancer who maintained healthy diet and lifestyle habits significantly reduced their chances of developing a deadly form of the disease. The study followed over 10,000 men for 18 years. Among the men with a genetically high risk, those following a healthy lifestyle had approximately half the risk of progressing to a lethal prostate cancer compared to the men with a comparatively less healthy lifestyle. Aspects of the healthy lifestyle followed by participants included the following:
- Not smoking
- High consumption of tomatoes (we recommend 1-2 servings per week)
- Regular intake of fatty fish (we recommend 2-4 servings per week)
- Reduced intake of processed meat (ham, sausage, hot dogs, pepperoni, beef jerky, deli meats such as roast beef and turkey)
- Vigorous physical activity for 30 minutes per day, 6 days per week i.e. running, swimming, lifting weights. Vigorous exercise is defined as an activity during which you cannot say more than a few words without taking a breath. For more info on exercise, read our previous blog New Updated Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors.
These findings add strength to the growing body of cancer prevention research that centers on achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and regularly exercising.
For more information on how you can start to incorporate these healthy lifestyle strategies into your own routine, read our Cancer Diet Guidelines Handout. For individualized diet and lifestyle recommendations to optimize your health, book an appointment with one of our Naturopathic Doctors.