Study Overview
A recent study by experts at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health highlights the potential survival benefits for prostate cancer patients by making a simple dietary adjustment. The focus is on patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer. Researchers explored how dietary fat intake relates to mortality.
The study discovered that substituting animal and saturated fats, such as those from red meat, butter, and full-fat dairy, with plant-based and unsaturated fats like olive oil and nuts, reduces the mortality risk for these patients.
Prostate Cancer Statistics
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer affects about 1 in 8 men during their lifetime, with approximately 333,000 new cases annually in the U.S. It ranks as the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among American men after lung cancer, with 1 in 44 men dying from it.
Dietary fats play a role in the development and progression of prostate cancer.– Dr. Leonard Gomella, Jefferson Medical College
The study findings were published in the JAMA Network Open journal on September 2.
Findings of the Study
The study involved nearly 5,000 nonmetastatic prostate cancer patients, with an average diagnosis age of 69.5 years. The median follow-up period was 12.8 years. During this time, over 3,000 patients died, including around 400 from prostate cancer and 500 from other cancers, while cardiovascular disease claimed 800 lives.
Higher saturated fat intake after cancer diagnosis was linked to increased all-cause mortality. Even small dietary changes showed significant effects. Replacing 5% of calories from carbohydrates with saturated or animal fat raised overall mortality risk. Conversely, swapping 5% of calories from saturated fat with monounsaturated or plant-based fat lowered the risk.
For example, exchanging 5% of carbohydrate calories for saturated fats resulted in a 15% increase in overall deaths.
Benefits of Plant-Based Fats
Similar conclusions emerged from the Physicians’ Health Study, which examined nearly 1,000 patients. Replacing 10% of calories from animal fat with plant-based fat resulted in a 44% decrease in death risk.
Dr. Daniel Petrylak from Yale University explained that high-fat diets elevate markers of inflammation, which might accelerate cancer growth. Reducing inflammation could help slow cancer progression. He also noted that cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in men with prostate cancer. Plant-based diets support heart health and may lower death rates.
Dr. Arul Chinnaiyan emphasized that unsaturated fats from olive oil, nuts, and seeds can lower LDL cholesterol, promoting cardiovascular health. He added that plant sources like nuts and seeds provide fiber and essential nutrients alongside fats. He cautioned against coconut and palm oils, which are high in saturated fats, advising the use of unsaturated fats instead.
Implications of the Study
Dr. Chinnaiyan noted that men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer often live for years after diagnosis, making cardiovascular health crucial for their long-term survival. More deaths in the study resulted from cardiovascular issues than prostate cancer, highlighting the importance of overall health management.
Dr. Gomella reiterated the positive impact of dietary changes, stating that they validate existing medical recommendations about dietary fat and prostate cancer.
Dr. Chinnaiyan suggested practical dietary changes, such as replacing butter with olive oil and incorporating nuts, seeds, or avocados in diets. He warned, though, that while evidence supports overall health benefits, these changes may not directly slow cancer or ensure longer survival.