Abstract
Cancer patients often ask which foods would be best to consume to improve outcomes. This is a difficult question to answer as there are no case-controlled, prospective studies that control for confounding factors. Therefore, a literature review utilizing PubMed was conducted with the goal to find evidence-based support for certain diets in specific cancer patients—specifically, we reviewed data for colon cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, malignant gliomas, and cancer patients on immunotherapy. Improved outcomes in colon cancer and patients on immunotherapy were found with high-fiber diets. Improved outcomes in malignant gliomas were found with ketogenic diets. Improved outcomes in prostate cancer and breast cancer were found with plant-based diets. However, the data are not conclusive for breast cancer. Additionally, the increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids were also associated with better outcomes for prostate cancer. While current research, especially in humans, is minimal, the studies discussed in this review provide the groundwork for future research to further investigate the role of dietary intervention in improving cancer outcomes.
Highlights
A commonly encountered question posed by cancer patients is understandably in the form of “What should I eat?”
This has created an overwhelming need to better understand the physiological effect of dietary intervention, and how it can be used to promote the efficacy of cancer therapy, enhance immune function, and improve prognosis
Interest continues to rise in the potential role of dietary intervention to improve cancer prognosis
Summary
A commonly encountered question posed by cancer patients is understandably in the form of “What should I eat?”. While it is true we have learned that a diet rich in processed foods, simple sugars, and processed meats is carcinogenic, the current recommendations appear superficial, lacking a deeper understanding of underlying mechanisms and thought processes. This has created an overwhelming need to better understand the physiological effect of dietary intervention, and how it can be used to promote the efficacy of cancer therapy, enhance immune function, and improve prognosis. Most of the data examining the link between diet and cancer outcomes originate from in vitro and in vivo animal studies, that are extrapolated and applied to humans. Common terminology used in the literature is “western diet;” there is no consensus on its meaning
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