The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, died from pancreatic cancer. Despite its rarity, experts say that lethal pancreatic cancer is on the rise. It was the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths just five years ago and now it’s the third. Experts predict that by the year 2030, pancreatic cancer will rank second among the leading causes of cancer deaths, right behind lung cancer.

Unlike many other cancers — like breast, prostate and colorectal cancers --  that have seen falling mortality rates thanks to better methods of early detection and treatment, innovations such as immunotherapy have not worked for pancreatic cancer causing a growing number of cancer-related deaths.

Although pancreatic cancer is rare — accounting for 3% of all cancer — it still kills 43,000 Americans annually and has stricken many other famous people including Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, and actors Patrick Swayze and Michael Landon. The disease is incurable and the one-year survival rate for its victims is only 20 percent dropping to a meager 7 percent for the five-year survival rate.

However, experts say that certain foods may provide protection for your pancreas. Here are your 8 best choices:

1. Probiotic yogurt. Columbia University and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute recommend that healthy individuals eat three servings of low-fat or fat-free yogurt to protect the pancreas and digestive system.
2. Spinach. According to Activebeat, experts at the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke recommend that the best way to lower the risk of pancreatic cancer is to consume a diet high in leafy green vegetables, like spinach that have elevated levels of B vitamins and iron.
3. Mushrooms. According to a study conducted by Indiana University’s Cancer Research Laboratory, a traditional Asian remedy made from mushrooms blocked the MMP gene which is linked to the development of pancreatic cancer.
4. Cherries. This fruit is rich in antioxidants and perillyl alcohol (POH), a compound that’s been linked to the prevention of pancreatic cancer.
5. Broccoli. A study from the University of Illinois discovered that foods rich in the flavonoids apigenin and luteolin like this cruciferous vegetable can inhibit or even kill human pancreatic cell formation.
6. Red grapes. A recent study form the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York examined the skin of red grapes and red wine made from these grapes and their link to malfunction and death of pancreatic cancer cells. They concluded that this mechanism was due to the antioxidant compound called resveratrol which is not only found in grapes but also in raspberries and blueberries.
7. Sweet potatoes. Swap white potatoes for sweet potatoes and get a pancreas-protecting boost! Research from the University of California showed that the orange colored spud slashed the incident of pancreatic cancer by 50%.
8. Onions and garlic. These foods have cancer fighting compounds called flavonoids. Garlic has also been associated with stopping tumor growth while enhancing the flavor or food, says Maria Petzel, senior clinical dietitian for the Pancreas Surgery Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center.