Lifestyle
Discover the Diet That May Help Slow Prostate Cancer Progression
A recent study has highlighted the potential benefits of a plant-based diet for individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer. This diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, has long been associated with a variety of health benefits, including a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and premature death. Now, research published in JAMA Network Open suggests it may also play a role in slowing the progression of prostate cancer.
The study found that prostate cancer patients who consumed the most plant-based foods experienced the lowest odds of their cancer worsening. According to Stacey A. Kenfield, ScD, a professor of urology at the University of California, San Francisco, “consuming a primarily plant-based diet—and less animal-based food—after a prostate cancer diagnosis may be associated with better prostate cancer-specific outcomes.”
Kenfield emphasized that while the study is a cohort study and cannot prove causation, the association observed was “quite strong.” This research builds on previous findings from Kenfield and her team, which linked plant-based diets to a reduced risk of developing fatal prostate cancer, particularly in men under 65.
The study analyzed data from 2,062 men with non-metastatic prostate cancer, part of the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor (CaPSURE) study. The participants, with a median age of 65, were treated at various urology practices across the United States from 1999 to 2018. Over a follow-up period of approximately 6.5 years, the cancer progressed in 190 participants, with 61 deaths resulting from it.
The results showed that those who consumed the highest amounts of plant-based foods had a 47% lower risk of cancer progression. Among those with medium-grade cancer, as determined by the Gleason grading system, the risk was reduced by 55% for those on a plant-based diet. However, no significant association was found for individuals with low-grade prostate cancer.
Samuel Haywood, MD, a urological oncologist at Cleveland Clinic, noted that while plant-based diets may benefit prostate cancer patients, the observed effects might also be related to other healthy lifestyle choices often made by individuals following such diets. He stated, “My patients often are asking about dietary and exercise interventions when they are diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
The precise mechanisms through which plant-based diets might influence cancer progression remain unclear. However, many plant-based foods are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which may have cancer-fighting properties. Additionally, these diets may lead to beneficial changes in the microbiome and are generally lower in fats and processed foods.
Kenfield highlighted the potential benefits of certain foods, including nuts, avocado, olive oil, fish, cooked tomatoes, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. She also mentioned that managing weight through such diets can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce chronic inflammation, both of which are linked to cancer.
While the evidence for specific foods is not particularly strong, Haywood acknowledged the potential of a plant-based diet as a whole. Kenfield suggested that future research should explore the impact of plant-based diets on a more diverse population and focus on men with metastatic prostate cancer.
To establish a causal relationship, a randomized controlled trial would be necessary. “In the meantime,” Kenfield said, “I hope we can confirm these findings in other ongoing observational studies, which would add to the limited data on this topic.”
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