It’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

01 Sep It’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

It’s September again, which means that it is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men? The numbers are startling, with around 20,000 men in Australia being diagnosed and close to 3,300 deaths each year.

This month we have combined a couple of simple recipes with ingredients that are known to be beneficial for prostate health. Along with the ingredients within these recipes there are many foods that are good for prostate health, including:

• Foods rich in omega-3s
• Cruciferous vegetables, think broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage (particularly red cabbage), kale
• Asparagus
• Watermelon
• Papaya
• Soy products such as tofu
• Olive oil
• Walnuts
• Fish
• Last but not least – tomatoes, which are particularly rich in the prostate cancer fighting compound lycopene.

Broccoli Pesto

Pesto isn’t only for basil, try this broccoli pesto recipe and be inspired to experiment with other ingredients – think kale or even parsley. This recipe can be prepared in advance and is also delicious tossed through pasta or even a warm salad.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups broccoli florets

1-2 garlic cloves

1 tsp salt

1/3 cup olive oil

¼ cup walnuts (toast for an extra layer of flavor)

1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan

1 small bunch basil leaves (you can also include the younger stems)

Method

1. Bring a pot of water to the boil and add the broccoli. Boil for 5 minutes. Drain then rinse with cold water.
2. In a food processor add the salt garlic and olive oil and process until garlic is evenly chopped. Add drained broccoli, walnuts, parmesan and basil. Process until well combined, leaving a bit of texture. Season to taste.
3. Decant into a jar and refrigerate until needed.

Baked eggs and goats cheese in tomatoes with broccoli pesto

This recipe is great for a simple breakfast or brunch and could be combined with some lovely toasted crusty sourdough on the side.

Ingredients

4 large tomatoes

2 cloves chopped garlic

Olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

4 large free-range eggs

4 tbsp broccoli pesto

4 tbsp goats cheese (or you could substitute with 3 tbsp parmesan cheese)

Fresh basil to garnish

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
2. Slice off the top of each tomato and carefully remove the core with a spoon. Place on a baking pan lined with greaseproof paper.
3. Drizzle over olive oil, add the garlic and season with salt and pepper.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes have broken down slightly.
5. Remove the pan from the oven and carefully crack an egg into each tomato (it may be easier to crack the egg into a cup, then tip it into the tomato). The whites will overflow.
6. Return to the oven, cooking for a further 6-8 minutes, or until the yolks have just set.
7. Top with pesto and cheese and return to the oven for another 1-2 minutes.
8. Serve warm, with fresh basil.

Why not find some other recipes that promote prostate health and put together a fundraising event? This will not only raise funds for research, bust also creates awareness and opens up the opportunity to have a conversation about the condition. You can visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia for assistance – pcfa.org.au/get-involved/events/organise-a-fundraising-event/submit-your-fundraising-plan/

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is facing or has been through surgery, our specially qualified Physiotherapists in Hoppers Crossing can provide assistance. Our experienced practitioners at Western Women’s and Men’s Health can help with the prevention and/or treatment of the associated physical complications related to prostate surgery, such as weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and incontinence. Please don’t hesitate to contact us, call today on (03) 8001 2044. We hope you enjoy the recipe/s.