While you cannot change your age, ethnicity, or family history, taking control of your lifestyle can be a powerful tool in reducing the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer, according to new research and leading health experts.
Groundbreaking Research on Diet and Supplements
A significant four-month study, involving 212 men with low-risk prostate cancer, has provided promising insights. Conducted by researchers from the University of Bedfordshire in collaboration with Cambridge University Hospitals, Bedford Hospital, and international teams in the US and Australia, the trial tracked Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels.
Half of the participants were given a plant-based supplement—containing broccoli, turmeric, pomegranate, green tea, ginger, and cranberry—and a placebo. The other half received the same supplement alongside a specially formulated probiotic.
The findings, reported in January 2026, showed that while PSA progression slowed significantly in both groups, the rate of change was significantly greater in the men who took both the supplement and the probiotic.
Key Lifestyle Factors That Influence Risk
Dr Jeff Foster, Medical Director of Manual and a GP specialising in men's health, emphasises that prostate cancer is particularly sensitive to lifestyle choices. "Certain types of cancer are more affected by lifestyle than others," says Foster. "Prostate cancer is really sensitive to a lot of those things that we say you should do to lead a healthy lifestyle."
1. Alcohol and Smoking
Evidence strongly links smoking to aggressive prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer UK states that stopping smoking can cause your risk to drop, potentially matching that of a non-smoker after ten years. Dr Foster advises avoiding carcinogens. "Older people that drink more alcohol are at higher risk of cancer because if you’ve had 50 years worth of drinking alcohol rather than five years, the risk of cancer will be greater," he explains, noting the body's reduced capacity to repair damage later in life.
2. Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Being overweight significantly increases the risk of advanced prostate cancer. "Obesity is effectively chronic inflammation and we want to reduce inflammation at all costs," says Dr Foster. He adds that weight itself is cancer-promoting for multiple cancers, including prostate and bowel cancer, due to metabolic disease and how cells store energy.
3. The Vital Role of Exercise
Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight and a robust immune system. "It doesn’t matter what exercise you do," Foster states. "The evidence is actually that just being physically active reduces your risk of many types of cancers. It’s the best medicine you can do." He recommends aiming for about 45 minutes, three to four times a week, of exercise intense enough to get you out of breath and sweaty.
Lifestyle's Role After Diagnosis
For men already diagnosed with prostate cancer, staying fit can profoundly impact treatment outcomes. "If you’re physically fit, you have a better physiological reserve," Dr Foster explains. This fitness means you are more likely to recover better from surgery, tolerate chemotherapy more effectively, and maintain a healthy immune system to fight the disease.
Beyond physical benefits, exercise offers psychological support. "Exercise is quite naturally cathartic and it releases endorphins so helps make people feel good about themselves," says Foster. It also provides a sense of control during a challenging time—a positive step an individual can take to actively improve their own health outcome.
