Dietary Choices Linked to Lower Prostate Cancer Risk in New Studies
Research indicates that maintaining a healthy weight, consuming plant-based proteins, and eating cooked tomatoes may reduce the likelihood of aggressive prostate disease.
By Riya Zhao ·
A collection of recent medical studies suggests that specific dietary habits and weight management can lower the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. The findings offer a preventive approach to men's health beyond standard early detection methods.
In a 2024 analysis of nearly 17,000 men, researchers found a strong correlation between obesity and mortality. Men with obesity faced a 72 percent higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to men of normal weight. Additional weight gain among obese men was also associated with an increased risk of the disease.
Dietary protein sources play a distinct role in cancer progression. The Health Professionals Follow-up Study linked high animal fat intake to a 63 percent increased risk of advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. Red meat consumption specifically contributed to a roughly 2.5-fold increase in the risk of advanced disease.
Conversely, plant-based diets show protective benefits. In a 2022 analysis of over 47,000 men, those under the age of 65 who adhered to the healthiest plant-based diets had a 44 percent lower risk of lethal prostate cancer. This compares to men whose diets were least plant-based.
The preparation of certain vegetables also influences their cancer-fighting potential. Cooking tomatoes makes lycopene, a carotenoid, easier for the body to absorb. In a 12-year study of 47,365 men, higher lycopene intake reduced overall prostate cancer risk by 16 percent. Men who consumed at least two servings of tomato sauce per week saw a 23 percent reduction in risk and a 35 percent reduction in the risk of metastatic cancer.
Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, contain compounds that may protect cells from cancer. One study found that eating at least three servings per week was associated with a 41 percent reduction in prostate cancer risk. Another study of 1,338 patients determined that consuming one or more servings of broccoli and cauliflower weekly reduced the risk of aggressive stage 3 and 4 tumors.
While lifestyle changes aim to prevent the disease, screening remains a critical tool for early detection. A retrospective analysis of 128 U.S. Veterans Health Administration facilities revealed an inverse relationship between screening frequency and metastatic cancer rates. Facilities with less frequent prostate-specific antigen screening reported higher rates of metastatic disease five years later.
The Movember Foundation, which supports more than 1,300 research and community projects worldwide, promotes awareness of these risk factors each November. Dr. David Dunaief, a lifestyle medicine physician, advises men to maintain a healthy weight, increase plant-based food intake, and stay physically active. He also recommends that men discuss the appropriateness of PSA screening with their physicians based on age, family history, and other risk factors.
