Poor diet may increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer: Study

According to a recent study, a healthy diet does not influence prostate cancer risk, while a bad diet may raise the risk of getting aggressive prostate cancer. The study’s findings were reported in BJU International.
The study evaluated the diets of 15,296 males recruited in Spain between 1992 and 1996. 609 prostate cancer cases were discovered among these males over a median follow-up of 17 years. Diets were divided into three types: Western, Prudent, and Mediterranean. A high intake of high-fat dairy products, processed meat, refined grains, sweets, caloric drinks, convenience meals, and sauces was associated with the Western dietary pattern, while a low intake of low-fat dairy products and whole grains was associated with the Eastern dietary pattern.
A high intake of low-fat dairy products, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and juices distinguished the Prudent dietary pattern. The Mediterranean diet includes a lot of seafood, vegetables, legumes, boiled potatoes, fruits, olives, and vegetable oil. Still, the Prudent and Mediterranean dietary patterns did not influence prostate cancer risk, whereas the Western dietary pattern had a negative effect. This effect was only seen in aggressive tumours.
Lead author Adela Castello-Pastor, Ph.D., of the Carlos III Institute of Health and CIBERESP in Spain, said, “Our results indicate that avoiding unhealthy dietary habits could be the best nutritional strategy to prevent aggressive prostate cancer.”
“Substituting the intake of Western-type diet products by products characteristic of the Mediterranean diet could also decrease the risk of other chronic diseases,” Co-senior author Marina Pollan, Ph.D., said.