Talk about Healthy habits to prevent diseases such as cancer is, without a doubt, mentioning diet and even more so if we refer to prostate neoplasms. There are many studies that have established the roadmap for its preventionnot even to stop its progression.
Looking back it is enough to remember that The scientific literature is full of works that establish a link between healthy eating and the prevention of prostate cancer. Without going too far, three studies, led by researchers from the Carlos III Health Institute and the Andalusian School of Public Health (EASP), confirmed the preventive potential of the Mediterranean Diet against prostate cancer. And not only, also against the breast and colon-rectum. The three works, published in the scientific journals ‘Maturitas’, ‘British Journal of Urology International’ and ‘Nutrients’, are part of the EPIC-Spain Project.
We know that prostate cancer is the most common neoplasm in men. In 2022, approximately 5,960 men died due to their fault in Spain and there were nearly 36,000 new cases, according to the Spanish Prostate Cancer Association (ANCAP). But scientists warn that in 20 years cases will double and deaths will skyrocket by 85% worldwide, especially due to the aging of the population.
Doctor Dr. François Peinado
In statements 65YMÁS, Dr. Dr. François Peinado, head of Urology at the Men’s Health Unit of the Ruber Juan Bravo University Hospital-Grupo Quirónsalud and Olympia Medical Center (both in Madrid), states: “Prostate cancer is one of the types of cancer among men in Spain. According to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), the incidence and mortality due to it have increased in recent years, making it a significant public health problem. Fortunately, “Advances in early detection and treatments have significantly improved the prognosis for many patients.”
This expert recalls that “the influence of nutrition on the development of cancer is decisive and this study supports it. The Mediterranean Diet (MD), characterized by a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish and olive oil, as well as a moderate consumption of red wine and a low consumption of red and processed meats, has been widely studied for its beneficial effects on health, including its influence on cancer prevention.
In addition, DM has been shown to be effective in preventing several types of cancer, including prostate cancer. This diet is rich in antioxidants, monounsaturated fatty acids and anti-inflammatory compounds that can reduce oxidative damage in cells and reduce inflammation, two key factors in the development of cancer.
But it is also “known for its ability to help maintain a healthy weight and improve metabolic health, factors that are associated with a lower risk of neoplasia. Obesity is a known risk factor for several types of cancer.r, including prostate. Her specific influence on the latter is based on several published studies that have linked men who followed her to a lower risk of prostate cancer progression. Partly due to its protective mechanisms (combats inflammation and oxidative stress, modulates the intestinal microbiota, which in turn can have protective effects against prostate cancer)”, he determines.
In conclusion: “DM represents an effective nutritional strategy not only for the prevention of prostate cancer, but also for the improvement of general health and quality of life. Promoting its adoption can be a key component in comprehensive patient care and in public health recommendations.
New evidence
Now comes new research, published in ‘JAMA’ and carried out with more than 2,000 men with localized prostate cancer, who found that eating a primarily plant-based diet was associated with a 47% lower risk of their disease progressingcompared to those who consumed the most animal products.
Many studies have reported that Higher intake of individual plant foods (e.g., cruciferous vegetables, cooked tomatoes, vegetable fats) is associated with a lower risk of recurrence or mortality of prostate cancer, as a ‘Cancer Causes & Control’ essay documents, but dietary factors alone may not accurately ‘capture’ the health effects of whole-grain diets.
Given the growing interest in plant-based foods at the population level, examining whether Dietary patterns based on them are associated with disease outcomes has important implications for public health. Therefore, scientists at the University of San Francisco (UCFS) evaluated their intake after the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
This was equivalent to eat only one or two more servings per day of healthy foods, particularly vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and eat fewer animal products, such as dairy and meat. The study followed men, whose average age was 65 yearsover time to see how dietary factors affected the progression of their cancer.
Plant-based diets include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, vegetable oils, tea and coffee. The researchers measured consumption using a plant-based index and compared men who scored in the highest 20% to those who scored in the lowest 20%.
“These results could guide people to make better, healthier choices across their diet, instead of adding or removing selected foods“Vivian N. Liu, former senior clinical research coordinator at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health and first author of the study, said in a statement.
And he insisted: “The progression of the disease is one of the many fundamental concerns among patients with prostate cancer, their families, their caregivers and doctors. This is in addition to many other health benefits associated with the consumption of a diet mainly plant-based, such as reducing diabetes, cardiovascular disease and overall mortality.
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular in the US and evidence is accumulating that they may be beneficial for patients with prostate cancer, the most common cancer among men in the country after non-melanoma skin cancer.
Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidantsas well as anti-inflammatory compounds that have been shown to protect against prostate cancer, and previous research has consistently demonstrated the importance of dietary factors for overall health and well-being.
“Making small changes to your diet every day is beneficial,” suggested trial co-senior author Stacey A. Kenfield, a UCSF professor of urology. “Increased consumption of foods of plant origin after a diagnosis of this disease It has also recently been associated with improved quality of life, including sexual function, urinary function, and vitality.so it is beneficial for both levels,” he added.
To the advantages of new and positive evidence on the relationship between food and diet “and despite advances in detection and treatment, prostate cancer continues to be a significant cause of mortality. However, this has shown a trend towards decrease in recent decades, thanks to improvements in early detection methods and available treatments,” recalls Dr. Peinado.
Early diagnostic
For him, early detection is “fundamental to improve the prognosis of the disease. In Spain, it is often performed by measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood and the digital rectal examination (DRE). The practice of PSA screening has been the subject of debatebut it is commonly used to detect cancer in its early stages, when treatment can be most effective,” he recommends.
As for treatment, “options include surgery (radical prostatectomy), radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and, in some cases, chemotherapy. The choice depends on the stage of the cancer, the patient’s age, their general health, and their personal preferences. The five-year survival rate for men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer is very high, greater than 90%. This reflects the effectiveness of available treatments and the importance of early diagnosis,” she adds.
He places special emphasis on remembering the risk factors for the disease. “Among the most notable are age (being more common in those over 65 years of age), family history of the disease, and genetic factors. In addition, diet and lifestyle also play an important role, as we have seen previously” , recalls the specialist.
Fortunately, “Spain actively participates in prostate cancer research through projects that investigate the relationship between diet, nutritional status, lifestyles, environmental factors and incidence of different types of cancer. These studies have provided valuable information about how modifiable factors, such as diet, can influence the risk of developing the disease. Especially since this remains a major challenge for public health, but advances in early detection and treatment have significantly improved the prognosis for many patients. “Continue to promote research, prevention and education about it to continue reducing its impact on the male population.”
Finally, Dr. Peinado emphasizes that “more and more doctors recognize the importance of diet in general health and disease prevention, but in many consultations it is still a pending issue. Integrating dietary recommendations into clinical practice should be a prioritysince an adequate diet can not only help prevent cancer, but also improve the quality of life and the results of treatments in patients with oncological disease. It is important to have the support of nutritionists who collaborate together with patient treatment units.