Western Diets May Kill Prostate Cancer Survivors

Posted by CancerInformation on July 30th, 2015

With more than 220,000 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed annually in the United States, this disease is a concern for all males as they age. This disease is considered the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men, but it can be easy to eradicate when it is caught early. The problem, however, is that sometimes the cancer still manages to prove deadly even if it hasn’t spread.

Researchers have found a link between the deaths of prostate cancer patients and the typical American diet. Foods that are high in fat, sugars and processed ingredients have long been linked to a host of diseases. In regard to prostate cancer, the diet can worsen the risk of death, researchers say.

The latest evidence comes courtesy of the Physician’s Health Study. This ongoing research project follows thousands of male doctors over the course of their lives. For this particular study, a subset of 926 participants in that study were selected. Each of the men chosen had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that had not spread. To find out more about diet links, researchers asked participants questions about their diets about five years after their diagnosis. The men were followed over the course of about 10 years.

The findings show that men who consumed more Westernized diets were much more likely to die than those who had healthier eating habits. The estimated increase of death rate was 2.5 times more likely, researchers found.

Men who want to lower their risks for developing a wide variety of illnesses will find that very simple dietary changes can help. “Mediterranean” diets, for example, that are rich in olive oil, fish, whole grains and fruits and vegetables have been shown to ward off such diseases as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and more.

Men who are concerned about prostate cancer are urged to speak with their healthcare providers. Personal physicians can help men assess their risks while offering suggestions on how to lower them.

About Author
Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed implantation, high dose radiation implants, and external beam radiation with image-guided and intensity-modulated (IGRT and IMRT) capabilities.