November not only brings us knitted scarves, sweaters, pumpkin lattes and American Thanksgiving, but also the cookie dusters appearing on the upper lips of many men in our lives. The annual Movember event happens every November to raise awareness (and funds) for prostate cancer, and it’s the only time I condone the sporting of a lip cushion on the opposite sex.
This month gives us a great opportunity to educate ourselves and bring awareness to the rise in prostate cancer, because the numbers are quite alarming. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, on average, 66 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every day, and 4,100 men will die from prostate cancer. That represents 10 per cent of all cancer deaths in men this year.
The prostate is oval in shape, ranging from walnut size to an apple, it is part of a man’s reproductive and urinary tract. This gland is located between the bladder and the penis, and while it’s main function is to secrete fluid that nourishes and protects sperm, it also plays a role in the control of urine flow. So it can put “great multi-tasker” in its resumé.
Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death of men in Canada, and excluding skin cancers, it is the most common cancer among men. This is why it’s so important to get that uncomfortable hand-up-the-butt check that all man dread. Let this statistic be a wakeup call, boys: go get a regular screening from your doctor, then go have a beer. It’s that simple.
Now while the numbers of cancer and other prostate-associated ailments are alarming, there are things that you can do to prevent and/or maintain a healthy long-term relationship with your prostate.
Avoid
Alcohol Yes we know craft beer is all the rage and red wine has been proved to have great health benefits for your heart, but an over consumption of alcohol has been correlatedto high prostate cancer risk. So it may be time to reduce the amount of growlers you buy a day.
Processed/fast foods I think this one speaks for itself. Not real food, not good for you in any sort of capacity.
Smoking. Duh.
Eating for prostate health
Zinc Zinc is known to be great for men’s health specifically for the prostate, you can find it in pumpkin seeds, oysters, dark chocolate and beef to name a few.
Selenium Reduce prostate cancer risk by adding more tuna, herring and other seafood as well as shellfish, beef liver, kidney, eggs, sunflower and sesame seeds, cashews, mushrooms, garlic and onions.
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Shocker, I know.
Eat more fruits and vegetables Tomatoes, watermelons, grapefruits, and papaya contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant which are great soldiers in the fight for optimum health.
Cruciferous vegetables Researchers propose that one of the phytochemicals found in cruciferous vegetables (such as cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy or broccoli)called sulforaphane, selectively targets and kills cancer cells while leaving normal prostate cells healthy and unaffected
Omega 3s A diet high in this healthy fat may help lower your risk of prostate cancer. You can find it in fatty fishes like salmon or trout.
RECIPE: Pumpkin Salmon
Ingredients:
1 salmon fillet
½ small pumpkin
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp coconut sugar
Sea salt and pepper
¼ tsp ginger
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp vanilla
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°
Scoop out innards of pumpkin and roast on baking sheet for 30-45 minutes
Scoop out roasted pumpkin flesh and puree in a food processor
Mix pumpkin puree, sugar, apple cider vinegar and spices in a bowl.
Lay salmon fillets on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
Spread pumpkin mixture over top each fillet and bake 16 to 20 minutes.
Serve on a bed of rice with a side of steamed broccoli.
