Can you slow down prostate cancer progression?
Nov 01, 2023
You’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer. You know that all cancers have the capability to progress, including prostate cancer. However, you’re goal is to slow, if not possibly, stop the progression of this disease. A disease, estimated to kill approximately 35,000 men in 2023, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in American men.
Working with your urologist/oncologist as a team is critical for choosing the best treatment for you. However, you can choose to also include valuable lifestyle habits that may adjunctively work alongside with your medical treatments to slow down the advancement of this disease.
Here are ideas of ways that may slow down the rate of your prostate cancer:
A lifelong diet of healthy foods is always the right way to eat. Healthy, minimally-processed, foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meat, beans, nuts, and seeds, will fuel your body as well as provide important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants promoting good health.
Every day you wake-up, make the choice to eat as healthfully as possible. For example, recent 2023 study has shown that men who follow a plant-based dietary pattern, have a lower risk of prostate cancer progression, particularly among older men and men with a high intensity walking pace.
So, men, fill your grocery cart with more fruits and veggies and other healthy foods. Your body will thank you for it.
Is there a link between vitamin D and prostate cancer? The quick answer – possibly. Research has shown that men with lower levels of vitamin D had a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. However, most of the studies researching vitamin D and prostate cancer have been observational. Therefore, additional research is needed to determine the potential of vitamin D in preventing, treating, or managing prostate cancer.
In the meantime, men should discuss with their doctor about taking a vitamin D supplement and a what amount.
Cancer patients, including men with prostate cancer, want something done about their disease while preserving their quality of life. In addition to using medicine or medical treatments for prostate cancer, men also appreciate using cost effective and more natural approaches. Adding exercise to the mix is perfect for men helping improve many aspects of their life living with cancer.
Living with prostate cancer and increasing physical activity leads to many health improvements: improves symptoms of depression and sleep disturbance, reduces fatigue, and improves body image/self-esteem, sexuality, social functioning, anxiety, and pain. In addition, exercise can maintain and improve muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and lean body mass.
A 2022 study endorses exercise for improving quality of life and metabolic health in men with prostate cancer. Specifically, the research found cardiovascular fitness and a reduction in fat mass along with blood pressure, were the main benefits exercise offered for these men.
There are many complementary treatments that may slow the growth of or possibly prevent prostate cancer tumors. One of these complements is flaxseed. A 2013 study found that a compound called lignans in flaxseed may prevent cancerous cells from spreading in men with localized prostate cancer. It is recommended to use ground flaxseed and not whole flaxseed or flaxseed oil.
Lycopene, a natural pigment found in foods such as tomatoes, watermelon, and grapefruit. For years, researchers have studied this compound’s effect as a potential ally for use in prostate cancer therapy. Some of the latest research from a 2020 study indicates lycopene has potential use for treating prostate cancer for it anti-cancer, anti-progressive and apoptotic (causing cell death) effects.
Drinking green tea may become a standard beverage recommended to men for preventing prostate cancer. Green tea contains a compound called EGCG that may have the capability to reduce and kill cancerous cells. While there have been conflicting and mixed results from studies regarding green tea’s anti-cancer effects, it’s still a healthy beverage offering many benefits including brain and heart health along with helping burn body fat.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.