Carefully chosen nutritional changes may slow prostate cancer's progression without immediate medical intervention, according to a new study.
Researchers at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) have discovered that a diet low in omega-6 fatty acids and rich in omega-3s, combined with fish oil supplements, could potentially reduce cancer cell growth in patients tracking the cancer instead of treating it, an approach called active surveillance.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States and is currently the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this demographic. While age is the most prevalent risk factor, other contributing factors include being African American and having a family history of the disease.
Participants were randomly assigned to continue their regular diet or follow a low omega-6 and high omega-3 diet, supplemented with fish oil, for one year.
Researchers did not observe differences in other cancer growth markers often used to monitor prostate cancer progression, such as Gleason grade, which measures how much the cancer cells in a biopsy sample differ from normal prostate cells.
"This significant difference suggests that the dietary changes may help slow cancer growth, potentially delaying or even preventing the need for more aggressive treatments," Aronson stated in the press release.
However, the researchers caution that further research is necessary to confirm the long-term benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and lower omega-6 intake in managing prostate cancer.
"Many men are interested in lifestyle changes, including diet, to help manage their cancer and prevent the progression of their disease," Aronson said. "Our findings suggest that something as simple as adjusting your diet could potentially slow cancer growth and extend the time before more aggressive interventions are needed."