[Nutrition and prostatic cancer]

Due to the major geographical variations affecting its clinical incidence, prostate cancer appears to be influenced by environmental factors, which may either promote or inhibit the development of this tumour. Diet appears to play a considerable role among these environmental factors. There are epidemiological and experimental arguments in favour of the role of diet in the development of prostatic cancer. Certain foods, such as fats, phenolic compound and other micronutrients such as vitamins or selenium have been reported to have an action on the natural history of prostate cancer. The authors present a review of the literature analysing the various potential actions of various foods.