Prostate cancer and the influence of dietary factors and supplements: a systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundProstate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer worldwide after lung cancer. There is increasing evidence that diet and lifestyle plays a crucial role in prostate cancer biology and tumourigenesis. Prostate cancer itself represents a good model of cancer in which to look for chemopreventive agents due to the high disease prevalence, slowly progressive nature, and long latency period. Dietary agents have gained considerable attention, often receiving much publicity in the media.AimTo review the key evidence available for potential chemopreventive nutrients.MethodsThe methodology for this review involved a PubMed search from 1990 to 2013 using the key-words “diet and prostate cancer”, “nutrition and prostate cancer”, “dietary factors and prostate cancer”, “prostate cancer epidemiology”, “prostate cancer prevention”, “prostate cancer progression”.ResultsRed meat, dietary fat and milk intake should be minimised as they appear to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Fruit and vegetables and polyphenols may be preventive in prostate cancer, but further studies are needed to draw more solid conclusions and to clarify their role in patients with an established diagnosis of prostate cancer. Selenium and vitamin supplements cannot be advocated for the prevention of prostate cancer and indeed higher doses may be associated with a worse prognosis. There is no specific evidence regarding benefits of probiotics or prebiotics in prostate cancer.ConclusionsFrom the wealth of evidence available, many recommendations can be made although more randomised control trials are required. These need to be carefully designed due to the many confounding factors and heterogeneity of the population.

Status and Interrelationship of Zinc, Copper, Iron, Calcium and Selenium in Prostate Cancer

“…In our study, Selenium level was found to be significantly lower (p = 0.01) in PCa versus BPH. Although, observational epidemiological studies suggest an inverse association between selenium and risk of prostate cancer [19,20], randomized controlled trials of selenium supplementation have reported conflicting results [21,22]. In the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) clinical trial, selenium supplementation had no effect on prostate cancer risk [23].…”

Incidence of cancer in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

“…Older age, family history, and race (African) are the established risk factors (37). Evidence showed that diet and lifestyle mostly affect the risk factors of prostate cancer (38). Other studies found that there is an association between tobacco smoking and the development of many malignancies including larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, bladder, uterus, cervix, ovary, and acute myeloid leukemia (39).…”

CIMMYT Series on Carbohydrates, Wheat, Grains, and Health: Carbohydrates, Grains, and Whole Grains and Disease Prevention. Part IV. Cancer Risk: Lung, Prostate, and Stomach

“…Diet is thought to modulate prostate cancer risk and growth (39). However, the scientific literature does not agree on all aspects of diet and, at times, seems to show diametrically opposed results (40).…”