Prostate cancer risk cut by tomatoes

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

According to a new study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, men who consume more than 10 portions of tomatoes each week have an 18% risk reduction for developing prostate cancer.

Investigators from the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, and Oxford in the United Kingdom examined the diets and lifestyles of 1,806 men between the ages of 50 and 69 with prostate cancer versus 12,005 men without cancer from 2001 to 2009. They looked for diets that contained calcium, lycopene, and selenium -rich foods, all of which have previously been linked to a decreased risk for developing prostate cancer.

The researchers found that men who ate greater than 10 portions of tomato-based products, such as tomato juice and baked beans, had an 18% lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Furthermore, men who ate at least five servings of fruits or vegetables had a 24% lower risk compared to those who ate less than two and a half servings.

The study suggests that men should consume at least 10 servings of tomato-based products weekly, between 750 and 1,200 mg of calcium daily, and between 105 and 200 mcg of selenium each day. Selenium is found in foods like bread and pasta, while calcium is typically found in dairy products.