How can low-stage prostate cancer progression be prevented?

Doctor's Answers 1

Localised prostate cancer can be classified into:

  • Low-risk group
  • Intermediate risk group
  • High-risk group

This is based on the stage and grade of cancer as well as the PSA level.

Management of Low-Risk Group

Active Surveillance

Low-risk cancers are most commonly treated by active surveillance.

This is a program of monitoring with:

  • PSA
  • MRI
  • Biopsies

This is to check that the cancer has not progressed to a higher risk group.

Most men with low-risk prostate cancer never progress, and the 10-year survival for men with low-risk prostate cancer can be as high as 99.7%.

However, some men do progress and require radical treatment either by surgery or radiotherapy.

Certain Foods and/or Nutrients

Some foods and/or nutrients can lower PSA as a marker for prostate cancer progression. However, more evidence is needed on the long-term effects to determine if changes in PSA affect prostate cancer progression and survival.

Foods are the preferred source for nutrients as they have additional nutritional value. This includes a rich variety of phytonutrients and fibre that are not found in supplements.

Supplements

For supplements, it is best to avoid doses that are greater than the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) unless under medical supervision.

Pomi-T® is a polyphenol food supplement combining broccoli, turmeric, green tea. It was tested in a double-blind randomised controlled trial of men with localised prostate cancer in the UK who were on active surveillance (https://www.nature.com/articles/pcan20146).

This trial showed that the rise in PSA in the men who were taking Pomi-T was much lower than those who were taking a placebo.

How to Prevent the Progression of Low-Risk Prostate Cancer?

The risk of prostate cancer progression may be lowered by lifestyle changes that emphasises:

  • A balanced, healthy diet
  • Regular physical activity
  • A healthy body weight.

This will bring benefits beyond prostate cancer and lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease— the number 1 cause of death in men in Singapore.

  • Food that is rich in lycopene such as cooked tomatoes, watermelons, and guavas.
  • Soy foods such as soybeans, soy beverages, and tofu
  • Green tea
  • Ground flaxseed

For more information on prostate cancer, read this article on the ultimate guide to dealing with prostate cancer as written by a Singaporean Urologist.

Similar Questions

When should men start to undergo prostate cancer screening?

Men without any family history of prostate cancer should undergo annual prostate checks from the age of 50 years old. Men with a family history of prostate cancer should start prostate checks from the age of 40 years old. These annual checks should be conducted till the age of 70 years old. The checks can be done by specialists such as urologists, or family physicians. The checks involve a prostate finger examination and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests.

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Answered By

Dr Siew Hong Ho

Urologist

Can certain dietary intake, such as omega-3 fatty acids, increase the risk of prostate cancer?

It is quite clear that diet does play a role in the development of prostate cancer. Japanese men have 3x less prostate cancer than men born in the United States. However, the sons of Japanese immigrants to the United States have a higher rate of prostate cancer that approaches that of Caucasians born in the United States. Much of this increase in prostate cancer is likely from the adoption of the “Western” diet and lifestyle [1]. This is further supported by a recent analysis of the available evidence based on population studies.

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Answered By

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