Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the US, affecting nearly 250,000 men annually accounting for over 13% of all new cancer cases.1 While extraordinary advances in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, much work remains. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men, and men often suffer from decreased quality of life during and after treatment. 2–4 An integrative approach to prostate cancer treatment is founded on conventional therapies and emphasizes additional evidence-based approaches to enhancing a patient’s health and well-being can not only help patients feel better—it may affect the course of the cancer itself.

So what changes can men make with prostate cancer to help enhance their treatment, or reduce their risk in the first place? Here are a few suggestions:

Stop smoking. Smoking can increase the risk of a number of cancers by up to 30%. By stopping smoking, you may be able to reduce your risk of many cancers, including prostate cancer.5 

Eat a healthy diet. The American Cancer Society and the American Institute for Cancer Research recommend a diet rich in whole grains and vegetables, with less red and processed meat, reduced sugar, limited alcohol, and limited.6 This type of diet has been linked to lower rates of prostate cancer, and can also reduce obesity. Some specific foods might also help slow down the growth of prostate cancer. These include cooked tomatoes (which contain lycopene, a cancer-fighting antioxidant), green tea (which includes a number of antioxidants, called catechins), and flaxseed (which contain an variety of antioxidants, including a-linoleic acid and lignans). Foods that contain soy protein may also help fight prostate cancer.7

Be active.  Exercise cannot only improve survival from cancer; it can help prevent many cancers from developing in the first place. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150-300 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity, or 75-150 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise. Exercise can help with fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep. Adding two days of resistance training per week is also important and has the added benefit of improving bone health.8 

Care for your mind. The body and mind are deeply interconnected—by caring for one you care for the other. Interventions like meditation, yoga, and support groups can be very helpful in reducing stress, which can improve your body’s ability to recover. For example, one study of a mindfulness program called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) showed that patients with prostate cancer not only had better quality of life and less stress, but they also had decreases in inflammation based on changes in their bloodwork.9

1.         Cancer of the Prostate - Cancer Stat Facts. SEER. Accessed September 11, 2019. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/prost.html

2.         Ávila M, Patel L, López S, et al. Patient-reported outcomes after treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Treat Rev. 2018;66:23-44. doi:10.1016/j.ctrv.2018.03.005

3.         Stam MA van, Aaronson NK, Bosch JLHR, et al. Patient-reported Outcomes Following Treatment of Localised Prostate Cancer and Their Association with Regret About Treatment Choices. Eur Urol Oncol. 2018;0(0). doi:10.1016/j.euo.2018.12.004

4.         Donovan JL, Hamdy FC, Lane JA, et al. Patient-Reported Outcomes after Monitoring, Surgery, or Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(15):1425-1437. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1606221

5.         Huncharek M, Haddock KS, Reid R, Kupelnick B. Smoking as a risk factor for prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of 24 prospective cohort studies. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(4):693-701. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.150508

6.         New Dietary Guidelines Committee Report Aligns with AICR Recommendations. American Institute for Cancer Research. Accessed January 25, 2022. https://www.aicr.org/news/new-dietary-guidelines-committee-report-aligns-with-aicr-recommendations/

7.         MD DR. Integrative Medicine. 4th edition. Elsevier; 2017.

8.         ACSM Blog. ACSM_CMS. Accessed January 25, 2022. https://www.acsm.org/blog-detail

9.         Carlson LE, Speca M, Patel KD, Goodey E. Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress, and immune parameters in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Psychosom Med. 2003;65(4):571-581. doi:10.1097/01.psy.0000074003.35911.41