Scientists discover three foods that could stop prostate cancer in its tracks

Eating plenty of fish, olive oil and walnuts and limiting chips, cookies and mayonnaise can slow the growth of early prostate cancer, according to a study.

New research suggests that simple dietary changes may help reduce the growth of prostate cancer cells in patients undergoing active surveillance.

This is a treatment method in which the cancer is monitored regularly without immediate intervention.

The findings show that a diet low in omega-6 but high in omega-3 fatty acids, combined with fish oil supplements, significantly reduced the growth rate of prostate cancer cells in men with early-stage disease.

And it could extend the time before more aggressive treatment is needed, the scientists said.

Many men with low-risk prostate cancer choose active surveillance over immediate treatment.

However, within five years, about half ultimately require therapy, either with surgery or radiation.

Therefore, patients are eager to find ways to delay the need for treatment, including through dietary changes or supplements.

Researchers conducted a study of 100 men with low risk or favorable intermediate risk for prostate cancer who opted for active surveillance.

Participants were randomly assigned to continue their normal diet or follow a low omega-6 and high omega-3 diet supplemented with fish oil for a year.

This group was given advice on healthier, lower-fat alternatives to high-fat or high-calorie foods, such as using olive oil or lemon and vinegar for salad dressing and trying to eat more fish and nuts.

They were also advised to reduce their intake of foods higher in omega-6, such as chips, cookies, mayonnaise and other fried or processed foods.

These participants also received fish oil capsules to further increase their omega-3 intake, while the other group received no nutritional advice and did not take any fish oil tablets.

The researchers monitored changes in a biomarker called the Ki-67 index, which indicates how quickly cancer cells multiply – an important predictor of cancer progression, metastasis and survival.

On average, more than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK, making it the most common form of cancer in men. About 12,000 men die from the disease every year – the equivalent of one man every 45 minutes

Analysis showed that after one year, the Ki-67 index in the low omega-6, high omega-3 diet and fish oil group had dropped by 15 percent, while the control group saw a 24 percent increase.

Dr. William Aronson, professor of urology at UCLA and first author of the study, said: ‘This is an important step toward understanding how diet can potentially influence prostate cancer outcomes.

‘Many men are interested in lifestyle changes, including diet, to help manage their cancer and prevent the progression of their disease.

‘Our findings suggest that something as simple as changing your diet could potentially slow cancer growth and extend the time before more aggressive interventions are needed.’

Although the results are promising, the researchers found no differences in other cancer growth markers commonly used to track prostate cancer progression.

The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.