Prostate Cancer Diet
What Can You Do Now?
Is there a Prostate Cancer Diet? Diet is perhaps the most important factor that can be controlled by an individual. Increasing attention is being devoted to understanding the role of diet and nutrition in relation to the development and progression of prostate cancer. When fighting prostate cancer, diet can make a difference.
Obesity and Dietary Fat
Many studies have shown that obese men have a greater risk of dying from prostate cancer, developing a more aggressive cancer, and experiencing disease recurrence after surgery or radiation therapy. The Cancer Prevention Study demonstrated that men with a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 32.5 kg/m2 were 35% more likely to die of prostate cancer than men whose BMI was less than 25. Interestingly, many studies of survival rates after prostate cancer treatment have found that most patients die from causes other than prostate cancer, most commonly cardiovascular disease. This would suggest that dietary measures to reduce obesity and thus cardiovascular disease would also help to maximize the benefit from undergoing prostate cancer treatment.
Per-capita fat consumption is highest in North American and Western European men; rates of prostate-cancer deaths are also highest in these groups. Conversely, countries in the Pacific Rim have the lowest death rates and the lowest fat consumption. Interestingly, with the introduction of a more “Western” diet in Japan, where the traditional diet is low in fat, there has been an increase in the incidence of aggressive prostate cancer. Whittemore et al studied the relationship of diet, physical activity, and body size in black, white, and Asian men living in North America. The only factor that correlated with prostate cancer was the amount of dietary fat. In another study by Giovannucci et al, it was found that men who consumed high levels of fat were more likely not only to develop prostate cancer but also to develop a more aggressive form of the disease.
Dietary Nutrients and Supplements
There are a variety of dietary nutrients and supplements that may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. They are readily available in foods and are generally thought to be better if ingested as food rather than as an artificial supplement
Is there a Prostate Cancer Diet? Diet is perhaps the most important factor that can be controlled by an individual. Increasing attention is being devoted to understanding the role of diet and nutrition in relation to the development and progression of prostate cancer. When fighting prostate cancer, diet can make a difference.
Obesity and Dietary Fat
Many studies have shown that obese men have a greater risk of dying from prostate cancer, developing a more aggressive cancer, and experiencing disease recurrence after surgery or radiation therapy. The Cancer Prevention Study demonstrated that men with a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 32.5 kg/m2 were 35% more likely to die of prostate cancer than men whose BMI was less than 25. Interestingly, many studies of survival rates after prostate cancer treatment have found that most patients die from causes other than prostate cancer, most commonly cardiovascular disease. This would suggest that dietary measures to reduce obesity and thus cardiovascular disease would also help to maximize the benefit from undergoing prostate cancer treatment.
Per-capita fat consumption is highest in North American and Western European men; rates of prostate-cancer deaths are also highest in these groups. Conversely, countries in the Pacific Rim have the lowest death rates and the lowest fat consumption. Interestingly, with the introduction of a more “Western” diet in Japan, where the traditional diet is low in fat, there has been an increase in the incidence of aggressive prostate cancer. Whittemore et al studied the relationship of diet, physical activity, and body size in black, white, and Asian men living in North America. The only factor that correlated with prostate cancer was the amount of dietary fat. In another study by Giovannucci et al, it was found that men who consumed high levels of fat were more likely not only to develop prostate cancer but also to develop a more aggressive form of the disease.
Dietary Nutrients and Supplements
There are a variety of dietary nutrients and supplements that may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. They are readily available in foods and are generally thought to be better if ingested as food rather than as an artificial supplement
Carotenoids
Cruciferous vegetables
Vitamins and minerals
Isoflavones
Polyphenols
Prostate Cancer and Diet Summary
Although diet and nutrition appear to play a role in the development of prostate cancer, no specific diet has been shown to prevent or alter the growth of an existing cancer. Most recommendations for a prostate healthy diet, however, are very similar to a heart healthy diet and would be beneficial to most men. Although there are many supplements that are pharmacologically or synthetically produced containing the above mentioned micronutrients, consumption in their naturally occurring state in food is likely to be of greatest benefit. You should discuss your diet and any supplements you are taking with your doctors before, during and after any treatment for your prostate cancer.UNDERSTANDING PROSTATE CANCER
What is Prostate Cancer?
What is Prostate Cancer, the Symptoms, Risk Factors? What does the Prostate do, where is it located?
Prostate Cancer Recurrence.
For Some, Cancer Returns After Treatment. Compare Treatments. Increase Your Odds of Remaining in Remission.
Treating Prostate Cancer.
Patients have options when it comes to the prostate cancer treatments. Learn about your options.
Remission versus Recurrence?
Relapse of prostate cancer is way more common than you might think. Many men treated for prostate cancer have their cancer return, which can lead to a lifetime of treatment. Prostate Cancer Free studies treatment outcomes documented in "The STUDY", recently updated for 2021. Take this Study to your doctor, and discuss your chance of cancer recurrence. The Study is available with the new, just released booklet, to help you learn about prostate cancer. Both the Prostate Cancer Free Study and the booklet, “What You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer” are available NOW for you to VIEW, PRINT or DOWNLOAD.
Help To Continue the Work!
The Prostate Cancer Free Foundation, reviews the results of hundreds of thousands of men treated for prostate cancer. Tracking them for years. This information is available to you, and others like you, to help find the best prostate cancer treatment. This work takes time, effort, resources all of it done by volunteers. Please help us continue. Please Donate!