Prostate Cancer

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Protect Against Prostate Cancer With a Plant-Based Diet

A plant-based diet that avoids meat and dairy products can help protect against prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society’s 2024 annual report, as well as the second most common cause of cancer deaths.1 Prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men, who are more likely to get prostate cancer and are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than other men.2

High intakes of dairy products including whole and low-fat milk and cheese increase the risk for prostate cancer, according to a 2015 meta-analysis in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.3 Previous research found that men drinking more than one glass of whole milk per day had double the risk for fatal prostate cancer, compared with men drinking less.4

Whole milk consumption also increases risk for prostate cancer recurrence in overweight and obese men, according to a 2018 study.5 Those who consumed more than four servings of whole milk per week increased their risk for recurrence by 73%, compared to those who consumed fewer or no servings of milk.

It isn’t just the dairy fat that is associated with prostate cancer risk, low-fat milk products also increased risk. In a 2013 study, those who had one or more servings a day of skim/low-fat milk had a 19% increased risk of prostate cancer, compared with those who rarely consumed it.4 The first National Health and Nutrition Examination Epidemiologic Follow-up Study followed 3,612 men for 8-10 years, Compared with men who had the lowest dairy intake, those in consuming the most low-fat dairy had a higher risk for developing prostate cancer.6 Dairy products also increase the risk of death from prostate cancer, according to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer. Men who consumed three or more servings of dairy products a day had a 141% higher risk for death due to prostate cancer compared to those who consumed less than one serving.7 Both high- and low-fat dairy products were associated with increased mortality.

Soy milk is rich and creamy and a great alternative to dairy. Not only does it taste delicious, but the Adventist Health Study found that drinking soy milk every day was associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.8

Red and processed meats are also associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. A study looking at nearly 2 million men and over 35,000 new prostate cancer diagnoses found that consuming processed meat was linked to an increased risk of both total and advanced prostate cancer.9 Another study found that compared to eating less half an egg per week, men consuming two and a half eggs per week or more had an 81% increased risk of prostate cancer death.10

The Adventist Health Study-2 found that men who followed a vegan diet had a 35% lower prostate cancer risk than those following a nonvegetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, or semi-vegetarian diet, although this relationship was stronger in white men.11 Beans appear to be an especially good source of protein for men, as a meta-analysis published in 2015 found that the more beans men ate, the lower their risk of prostate cancer was.12

The Prostate Cancer Lifestyle Trial was a randomized controlled trial that involved a low-fat plant-based diet, exercise, and stress management. After two years of follow-up, 27% of the control group required some form of conventional prostate cancer treatment compared to only 5% of the intervention group.13

Men who consume the most plant-based foods decrease their risk of dying from prostate cancer by 19%, according to an abstract published in The Journal of Urology.14 And men who were encouraged to eat a plant-based diet reduced the rise in their PSA levels, which is a blood marker of disease progression.15,16

A study of over 2,000 men with prostate cancer found that those who ate the most plant-based foods had a 56% lower risk of prostate cancer progression and a 59% lower risk of prostate cancer recurrence compared to those who ate the least.17

A plant-based diet can also improve the quality of life in men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The Health Professionals Follow-up Study looked at over 3,500 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer between 1986-2016.18 It found that those who ate the most plant-based foods had an improved quality of life, including sexual function, urinary irritation/obstruction, and urinary frequency.

The great news about a plant-based diet is that it’s not only beneficial for prostate cancer, but also for other types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and more.

Physical exercise can be beneficial for health, even after a diagnosis of prostate cancer. The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study found that men with prostate cancer who got more regular exercise had a lower risk of death than those who exercised less. For example, men who walked ≥ 90 minutes per week had a 46% lower risk of dying from all causes.19 Physical exercise may also improve physical functioning and strength in men with prostate cancer that has spread to the bones.20

“ Wipe away those milky moustaches and ditch dairy today to reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Soy milk is not only a delicious alternative, but it may also reduce the risk of prostate cancer. ”

Dr Roxanne Becker, MBChB, DipIBLM, Medical Editor and Educator, Physicians Committee

A Plant-Powered Approach To Prostate Cancer

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