Cancer of the prostate prevention: can proper diet help?

Are you aware that, excluding some types of skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men? Each year, over 220,000 men are diagnosed, and nearly 27,000 die from it. Risk factors include being 65 or older, African-American, or having a close relative with prostate cancer. For more on related conditions, see our category on bowel and colon cancer.

Are You Able To Lessen the Risk?
No Quick Fix
How to Help Prevent Prostate Cancer with a Healthy Diet

Are You Able To Lessen the Risk?

While men should discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctors, there are ways to reduce risk. Nutrients like lycopene, vitamin E, and selenium are often marketed for prevention, but experts recommend obtaining them from foods rather than supplements. A balanced diet contributes to overall health, which may indirectly protect against cancer.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, getting the recommended levels of selenium and lycopene from foods is preferred over supplements. Jim White, RDN, notes: “While these minerals may not eliminate the risk of prostate cancer, their consumption plays a role in overall health and may be the primary protection against all cancers.”

No Quick Fix

Avoid supplements or foods promoted as “quick-fix” prevention. Excessive intake of some nutrients, like vitamin E, may actually increase risk. Instead, men can adopt healthy habits:

Action	Details
Maintain healthy weight	Overweight, especially abdominal obesity, increases prostate cancer risk. Target a healthy BMI and waist circumference.
Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit	2½ cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit daily. Dark-colored produce like spinach, berries, and peppers is rich in carotenoids and other beneficial nutrients.
Replace unhealthy fats	Use healthy fats like olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and fatty fish instead of saturated fats.
Exercise regularly	Intense exercise (≥3 hours/week) lowers risk of dying from prostate cancer. Adults should aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five times per week.

FAQ — Prostate Cancer Prevention

Q1: Can supplements like lycopene prevent prostate cancer?
A: Evidence is limited. Experts recommend getting nutrients from whole foods rather than supplements for overall health benefits.

Q2: How much exercise is recommended?
A: At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 times per week, or more intense exercise for additional benefit.

Q3: Does diet alone prevent prostate cancer?
A: No, diet contributes to overall health, but age, genetics, and other factors also affect risk.

How to Help Prevent Prostate Cancer with a Healthy Diet

The article on prostate cancer prevention emphasizes that a healthy diet and lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing the disease: focusing on increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, reducing saturated fats and red meat, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying physically active, all of which are supported by medical recommendations. Additionally, just as we take steps to protect our health, it’s important to ensure the comfort and safety of our home during the winter months, which includes performing a HVAC winter tune up.