William Aiken

One's diet is believed to play an important role in the causation of prostate cancer. Epidemiological studies, looking at different populations where the incidence of prostate cancer varies widely, suggest that differences in diet may partly account for these variations.

It is known, for example, that Asian men living in Asia have a very low incidence of prostate cancer. However, when these men migrate to America and adopt a Westernised lifestyle, within a generation, their incidence of prostate cancer approximates that of their white American counterparts.

Fish and soy

Clinical and laboratory studies also support the role of diet in the prevention of prostate cancer. These studies suggest the following as potential protective dietary factors: tomatoes and tomato-derived products, pomegranates, cruciferous vegetables, vitamin E, selenium, fish and omega-3 fatty acids, soy, isoflavones and green tea with polyphenols. Given the available data, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and fish known to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines and tuna) is recommended. Flax seed, which can be obtained in health food stores, is a source (to fish) of omega-3 fatty acids. This diet is also recommended in the prevention heart disease.

Natural sources of lycopene found in tomatoes, ketchup and melon are beneficial to health whereas isolated or synthetic sources are not. Similarly, natural sources of vitamin E are better than synthetic sources. Vitamin D, primarily obtained through exposure to adequate sunlight, is believed to have a preventive effect on the development and growth of prostate cancer.

Fatty foods

The tomato islisted among the super foods. - contributed

Dietary factors which increase prostate cancer risk in adult men include dairy products, calcium, zinc at high doses, saturated fat, grilled meats, heterocyclic amines and high caloric intake. Calcium-rich foods such as milk, butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream should be minimised to reduce prostate cancer risk.

Nearly all the foods loved by Jamaicans are laden with saturated fats. These include beef patties, cheese patties, meat loaves, beef balls (from mince), roast beef, corn beef, liver, tripe and beans, oxtail and beans, cow foot, kidney and beans, fried chicken (with the skin on), jerk pork, curry goat, fast foods (hamburgers etc.) and pig's tail to name a few. Some of these foods are staples in the diet of some Jamaicans implying a long term, recurring exposure to them.

Chronic overeating of foods laden with saturated fat results in a higher incidence of cancer and is believed to act by stimulating the release of certain hormones in the body called insulin- like growth factors which stimulate tumour cell growth and promote the development of cancer.

What of ackee, which is part of our national dish? Ackee has come under scrutiny because it is composed mostly of fat of which the majority is omega-6 fatty acids. Studies have suggested that a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in prostate tissue is associated with a higher risk of cancer being present. This observation at best may generate a hypothesis that ackee could be a factor, but so far no appropriately designed study has shown this to be so. Continue to enjoy ackee but do so in moderation.

There is evidence that proper diet is important in slowing or retarding the progression of the disease for men already diagnosed with prostate cancer.