Prostate cancer survival: is there a dietary connection?

Abstract

Berkow et al.1 recently reported on the relationship between diet and survival rates following prostate cancer diagnosis, and they recommended that prostate cancer patients shift their diets toward plant foods as an important component of tertiary treatment. Given the current state of the science, I am concerned that this recommendation is premature and could be misinterpreted to suggest that intake of animal foods should be limited. Modifying one's overall diet to limit specific food groups may result in nutrient deficiencies, the effects of which could be exacerbated in patients with prostate cancer, since they require optimal nourishment to endure their taxing treatment regimen, which may include radiation and hormone therapy. The data cited by the authors do not support the broad statement that patients who adopt a plant-based diet after disease onset or unsuccessful treatment may experience a lower rate of progression compared to those who do not. A thorough literature review reveals there are a limited number of studies investigating the effects of various diets on prostate cancer progression. Further, major limitations exist in the studies …