A groundbreaking study suggests that a diet enhanced with specific vegetables and probiotics could help slow the progression of low-risk prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the UK.
The Gut-Prostate Connection
Researchers from the University of Bedfordshire, alongside teams from Cambridge University Hospitals and Bedford Hospital, set out to investigate the relationship between gut health and prostate cancer. They focused on whether increasing intake of phytochemical-rich foods like leafy greens and berries, combined with Lactobacillus probiotics, could impact the disease.
The study, published in the European Urology Oncology journal, involved 212 men with low-risk prostate cancer. Over a four-month period, half received a supplement and a placebo, while the other half received the same supplement alongside a specially designed probiotic.
Significant Impact on PSA Levels
The team measured levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a blood marker that can indicate prostate conditions including cancer. Working with international scientists, they found that PSA progression slowed significantly in both groups.
However, the positive change was "significantly greater" among the men who took the supplement-probiotic combination. This supplement was made from a blend of broccoli, turmeric, pomegranate, green tea, ginger, and cranberry.
MRI scans conducted during the trial provided further evidence. In the supplement-only group, 82% had stable disease, while 18% saw progression. In the group also taking the probiotic, 85.5% had stable disease, 6.7% exhibited disease regression, and only 7.8% saw progression.
Implications for Treatment and Quality of Life
Lead author Professor Robert Thomas, a consultant clinical oncologist, stated: "This study shows, for the first time, that improving the balance of bacteria in the gut can slow prostate cancer activity while also improving important aspects of men’s health such as urinary symptoms, inflammation and physical strength."
The findings are considered clinically relevant as PSA changes often influence a man's decision to remain on "active surveillance" or opt for invasive treatment. Currently, about 60% of men with lower-risk disease choose surveillance initially, but over 50% opt out within five years.
Professor Thomas emphasised that as fewer than 5% of men in this group are likely to die from prostate cancer, a successful dietary intervention could help many avoid unnecessary treatments and their associated side-effects, like incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Dr Hayley Luxton from Prostate Cancer UK called the study "encouraging" and noted it adds to growing research on how diet affects cancer progression. She stressed that while more research is needed, maintaining a balanced, healthy diet remains a good idea.
The authors have called for longer-term studies to confirm these promising results, which were observed over just four months.
