Researchers looked at 21 studies to see if what men eat and how they live after a prostate cancer diagnosis affects their health outcomes. The good news: eating more plants, following healthy diets, exercising regularly, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight appear to lower the risk of cancer coming back and living longer. The study found that Mediterranean-style diets and avoiding processed Western-style foods seem especially helpful. While the evidence is promising, scientists say we need more research to be completely sure about these connections.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the foods men eat and their lifestyle habits after being diagnosed with prostate cancer affect whether the cancer comes back, how long they live, and how fast their cancer markers change.
  • Who participated: Adult men (18 years and older) who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The review combined information from 21 different research studies conducted between 2005 and 2025.
  • Key finding: Men who ate more plant-based foods, followed healthy eating patterns (like the Mediterranean diet), exercised regularly, didn’t smoke, and kept a healthy weight had lower chances of their cancer returning and living longer overall. Men who ate Western-style diets with lots of processed foods had higher risks.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a prostate cancer survivor, making healthy food and lifestyle choices after diagnosis may help you live longer and reduce cancer recurrence risk. However, these findings suggest possibilities rather than guarantees, and you should discuss specific changes with your doctor.

The Research Details

This was a systematic review, which means researchers searched medical databases for all quality studies published between 2005 and 2025 that looked at how diet and lifestyle after prostate cancer diagnosis affected patient outcomes. Two independent reviewers carefully checked each study to make sure it met quality standards. The researchers looked for studies that tracked real men over time (called cohort studies) and clinical trials that tested specific interventions.

The researchers focused on studies that measured individual dietary choices and lifestyle factors, not just general health advice. They looked at outcomes like whether cancer came back, cancer-specific death rates, and PSA levels (a blood marker that doctors use to monitor prostate cancer). This approach allowed them to combine information from multiple studies to see if patterns emerged about what dietary and lifestyle choices seemed most helpful.

A systematic review is valuable because it combines evidence from many studies rather than relying on just one. This gives us a more complete picture of what the research shows. By reviewing 21 studies together, researchers could identify which dietary and lifestyle changes had the strongest evidence behind them, making recommendations more reliable than any single study could provide.

This review was published in The Journal of Urology, a respected medical journal. The researchers used careful methods, with two independent reviewers checking studies to reduce bias. However, the individual studies included varied in quality and design. Not all studies agreed with each other, suggesting the evidence is still developing. The researchers noted that more high-quality studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to strengthen these conclusions.

What the Results Show

The review found that several healthy eating patterns were associated with better outcomes for prostate cancer survivors. Men who followed Mediterranean diets (rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy oils), the Healthy Eating Index (a measure of overall diet quality), and Prudent dietary patterns (emphasizing whole foods and minimizing processed foods) had lower risks of cancer progression and death from all causes.

Healthy lifestyle behaviors also mattered significantly. Men who didn’t smoke, exercised regularly, and maintained a healthy weight showed better outcomes. When these dietary and lifestyle factors were combined together, the benefits appeared even stronger. The research suggests that eating more plant-based foods and avoiding foods that cause rapid blood sugar spikes (high insulinemic foods) may be particularly protective.

Conversely, men who followed Western dietary patterns—characterized by processed foods, red meat, and sugary items—had higher risks of cancer progression and death from all causes. The evidence was somewhat mixed across studies, meaning not every study found the same results, but the overall pattern was clear: healthier choices appeared to help.

The review also examined PSA kinetics, which refers to how quickly PSA levels rise in the blood. Some studies suggested that healthy dietary patterns might slow PSA increases, though the evidence for this was less consistent than for other outcomes. The researchers found stronger evidence for reducing overall death risk compared to cancer-specific death risk, though some studies did show benefits for cancer-specific survival.

These findings align with what researchers have observed in other cancer types and general health research—that plant-based diets and healthy lifestyles tend to improve outcomes. However, this is one of the first comprehensive reviews specifically examining post-diagnosis diet and lifestyle in prostate cancer survivors. Previous research had focused more on diet before cancer diagnosis. This review suggests that what men do after diagnosis may be just as important as what they did before.

The researchers noted several important limitations. Not all 21 studies agreed with each other, suggesting the evidence isn’t definitive. Most studies were observational (watching what people did naturally) rather than randomized controlled trials (where researchers assign people to different diets). This means we can’t be completely certain that diet caused the better outcomes—other factors might be involved. Additionally, many studies didn’t have enough cases of cancer-specific death to draw strong conclusions about that particular outcome. The researchers called for more rigorous, long-term studies to strengthen the evidence.

The Bottom Line

Based on moderate evidence, prostate cancer survivors should consider: (1) Eating more plant-based foods including vegetables, fruits, and whole grains; (2) Following Mediterranean-style eating patterns; (3) Avoiding processed foods and Western-style diets high in red meat and sugar; (4) Exercising regularly (aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly); (5) Not smoking; (6) Maintaining a healthy weight. These recommendations have the strongest evidence behind them, though researchers emphasize these are associations rather than proven causes.

These findings are most relevant for men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and want to optimize their health after treatment. The recommendations may also apply to men at high risk for prostate cancer, though the evidence specifically comes from survivors. Men with advanced prostate cancer should discuss these changes with their oncologist before making major dietary shifts. These recommendations don’t replace medical treatment but complement it.

Changes in diet and lifestyle typically take time to show benefits. Most studies tracked men for several years. You might notice improved energy and weight changes within weeks to months, but effects on cancer progression and survival would take years to measure. This is a long-term commitment rather than a quick fix.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly servings of plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes) and weekly exercise minutes. Set a goal of 7+ servings of plants daily and 150+ minutes of moderate activity weekly. Monitor weight monthly to maintain a healthy BMI.
  • Use the app to log meals focusing on Mediterranean diet principles: add more vegetables and fruits to each meal, choose whole grains over refined grains, use olive oil, include fish twice weekly, and reduce processed foods. Set reminders for daily physical activity and track completion.
  • Create a dashboard showing: (1) Plant food servings per week, (2) Exercise minutes per week, (3) Weight trend over months, (4) Diet quality score based on Mediterranean diet adherence. Review monthly to identify patterns and adjust goals. Share progress with your healthcare provider at regular appointments.

This review summarizes research findings but is not medical advice. Prostate cancer survivors should discuss any major dietary or lifestyle changes with their oncologist or healthcare provider before implementing them, especially if taking medications or undergoing active treatment. The findings suggest associations between healthy habits and better outcomes, but don’t prove cause-and-effect relationships. Individual results may vary based on cancer stage, treatment type, and personal health factors. Always consult your medical team before making significant health changes.