The Mediterranean diet can affect the progression of prostate cancer in men who are under active surveillance

San Francisco, Calif. (UroToday.com)-A study investigating a Mediterranean diet associated with prostate cancer progression in men under active surveillance, researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas reported localizedness We found men with prostate cancer Baseline diet patterns that closely follow the main principles of the Mediterranean-style diet worked better over the course of their illness.

“Men with prostate cancer are eager to find ways to influence disease progression and improve quality of life,” said urology assistant professor and lead author of a study published today in Cancer. Said Justing Leg, MD. “The Mediterranean diet is non-invasive and good for overall health and can affect the progression of cancer, as shown in this study.

After adjusting for factors known to increase the risk of cancer worsening over time, such as age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and tumor volume, many fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and fish The number of men who ate a diet that included decreased the risk of prostate cancer growing or progressing to the point where many consider aggressive treatment. Researchers also investigated the effects of diabetes and statin use and found similar risk reductions in these patient groups.

The study, in which the maximum number of participants was Caucasian, found that the effects of a Mediterranean diet were more pronounced in African-American participants and other participants who self-identified as non-white. It was. These findings are important because the diagnosis rate for prostate cancer is more than 50% higher in African-American men and the risk of death and disease progression from prostate cancer is higher.

“Mediterranean diets are consistently associated with a reduced risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. This study of men with early-stage prostate cancer has included many with their families in this area. We are one step closer to providing evidence-based dietary recommendations to optimize the outcomes of the cancer patients asking questions, “says Dr. Carrie Daniel McDagal. D., Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Senior Author of Research.

Following skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States. Most cases are low-risk diseases that are confined to the prostate and give good results, so many men do not require immediate treatment and opt for active physician monitoring. Treatment of prostate cancer can lead to quality of life changes and diminished urinary and sexual function, so it is of interest to find correctable factors in men that are controlled by active surveillance.

In this study, 410 men were followed with an active surveillance protocol with localized prostate cancer in Gleason grade group 1 or 2. All study participants underwent a confirmatory biopsy at the start of the study and were evaluated every 6 months through laboratory and clinical tests for serum antigen PSA and testosterone.

The study participants were 82.9% white, 8.1% black, and 9% other or unknown. The median age was 64 years, with 15% of men having diabetes and 44% using statins.

Men completed a 170-item baseline food frequency questionnaire and calculated a Mediterranean diet score for each participant in nine energy-adjusted food groups. Participants were then divided into three groups: high, medium, and low dietary compliance.

After adjusting for age and clinical characteristics, the researchers found a significant association between a high baseline diet score and a reduced risk of developing cancer grade. For every 1 point increase in the Mediterranean diet score, researchers observed a 10% or greater risk of progression. After a median follow-up of 36 months, 76 men confirmed cancer progression.

This study was limited by the low number of events in these men, most of whom were monitored by MD Anderson and had low-risk illness. Future studies are needed to see if the same effect is seen in larger and more diverse patient groups and men with high-risk prostate cancer.

“Our findings suggest that consistently maintaining a healthy, balanced diet of vegetable foods, fish, and monounsaturated fats may be beneficial for men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. It suggests that there is, “Greg said. “We hope that these results, combined with additional research and future validation, will help patients adapt to a healthy lifestyle.”

Source: MD Anderson Cancer Center. 2021. The Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of prostate cancer progression with active monitoring.

Relevant content:

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and grade group progression in localized prostate cancer: an active surveillance cohort