Boosting the nutrition of individuals with prostate cancer could potentially eliminate the need for surgical procedures, as suggested by experts. In an international trial, prostate cancer patients who were provided with supplements containing vegetables and beneficial bacteria experienced a deceleration in the advancement of a key prostate cancer indicator in the blood. This advancement offers hope that such dietary enhancements could assist prostate cancer patients in managing the anxiety associated with having a slow-growing tumor that may not pose a threat.
Men with slow-growing tumors were given a supplement comprising broccoli, turmeric, pomegranate, green tea, ginger, and cranberry in a study conducted by Bedfordshire University. Additionally, half of the participants were administered a probiotic supplement containing lactobacillus, known as “good” bacteria. The progression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a protein associated with the prostate, was notably slowed in both groups, with a more significant effect observed in the group receiving the probiotic supplement. This discovery could pave the way for dietary interventions, especially for patients with slow-growing tumors under active surveillance by the NHS.
Professor Robert Thomas, the lead author and a consultant clinical oncologist, emphasized the importance of dietary interventions in retaining men on active surveillance, especially considering that a substantial percentage opt out within a few years despite having lower-risk disease. The fluctuation in PSA levels, often causing uncertainty among patients, leads many to opt for invasive treatments unnecessarily. However, the study’s results, supported by MRI scans, indicate promising outcomes from the dietary supplements, potentially reducing the need for major interventions like surgery or radiotherapy.
While prostate cancer screening for high-risk individuals was declined by UK regulators due to concerns of overdiagnosis, routine PSA testing is not widely offered by the NHS. Controversially, some advocate for broader screening, including Sir Chris Hoy, who has a terminal prostate cancer diagnosis following a delayed diagnosis despite having a family history of the disease. Nevertheless, the UK National Screening Committee emphasizes the risks of unnecessary surgeries and the challenges men face in adopting a watch-and-wait approach without demanding treatment prematurely.
As per Professor Freddie Hamdy, a member of the screening committee, the tendency for patients on active surveillance to transition to treatment underscores the need for more effective strategies to manage prostate cancer without resorting to unnecessary interventions. This highlights the significance of ongoing research and implementing dietary interventions to alleviate the burden of prostate cancer treatments and reduce the likelihood of over-treatment.