Please join me in celebrating the courageous women and men who are living with gynecological cancer or prostate cancer.
Gynecological Cancers
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month is recognized each year in September and is a perfect time to encourage women to learn more about cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, ovaries, and uterus. Every year in the United States, about 89,000 women are diagnosed with and more than 33,000 die from a gynecologic cancer.
It is estimated that one-third of cancer deaths in the United States can be attributed to adult diet and physical activity, including their role in obesity. Research suggests that nutrition and lifestyle may prevent and improve survival of ovarian cancer patients. A pro-inflammatory diet has been shown to modestly increase the risk of ovarian cancer. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in antioxidants combined with regular exercise reduces the risk of disease. An Italian case-control study found that high vegetable intake, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and a low dietary inflammatory index were associated with a lower risk of endometrial cancer. Additionally, there was an increased risk of endometrial cancer with a high consumption of processed meat and total meat intake. Nonetheless, due to the lack of homogenous and robust endpoints, more research is needed to determine more specifics regarding diet and gynecological cancers.
Prostate Cancer
A healthy diet may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer and possibly prevent or delay prostate cancer progression. I would like to give a special 'shout out' to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. In honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness this month, they're hosting the "Eat It to Beat It" 30-day challenge - eat 30 healthy foods in 30 days. Prostate cancer is unique in that it's the only cancer that Western medicine uses diet and lifestyle as a potential treatment via active surveillance. That is significant and promising.
Research suggests that a lifelong commitment to a plant-based diet may lower a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer and, after prostate cancer diagnosis, reduce the risk of cancer recurrence or progression. Preliminary evidence suggests that dietary and lifestyle changes are associated with a decrease in PSA and prostate cancer cell growth in men on active surveillance for low risk prostate cancer. Men who had high levels of the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in their diet or prostate tissue were significantly less likely to have high-grade prostate cancer.
For more information on nutrition and prostate cancer, click here to access Health & Wellness: Living with Prostate Cancer Part 2: Diet Recommendations.
Final Thoughts
Choosing what to eat and what not to eat can be very empowering. While more research is needed to establish a conclusive relationship between nutrition and cancer, a healthy diet strengthens your immune system, reduces your risk of chronic diseases, and improves your sense of well-being. Nourish yourself with healthy foods.