A number of Canadian fast-food chains have pulled raw tomatoes from their menus following a warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about an outbreak of salmonella. Canadian tomatoes have been cleared of any link to the disease.
Smart diet can assist cancer fight
June 05, 2008
Staff Reporter
Dr. Neil Fleshner asks the big question: Is there a better way to deal with prostate cancer than the standard Western medical procedures?
He also answers it: He believes men can help prevent prostate cancer by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.
"Paying attention to these provides some control over your own destiny," says Fleshner, head of the urology division for the University Health Network.
While age (over 50), hormones, race (African descent) and genes (family history) all come into play, there are risk factors that can be modified.
There is evidence a diet low in fat but high in soy products, along with certain vitamin and mineral supplements, can help shrink cancerous tumours. Researchers have also found that a diet high in lycopene, an antioxidant, can benefit men who already have prostate cancer.
But are men willing to alter their diet? In a word, "no," says Fleshner.
"Women tend to adapt to a doctor's advice. A lot of research has been done on this and it shows it's harder to get men to change their eating and exercise habits."
As a result, many heath-care professionals focus on wives to act as the moving force. Fleshner hopes that modern young men, who tend to be more health-conscious than their fathers, will take the initiative to look after their own prostate.