Reviewing the Benefits Stage by Stage

In the majority of cases, when prostate cancer is detected early, primary surgical or radiation treatment is curative and taking additional steps to prevent the growth of the cancer might seem unnecessary. Nevertheless, men at this stage would do well to take an opportunity to inventory and tune-up their nutritional habits. Remember, maintaining a healthy diet and regularly exercising can be important steps toward preventing other diseases that commonly occur with aging, including heart disease and diabetes.

Men with advanced prostate cancer or with disease that has recurred can begin incorporating healthy diet and regular exercise into their regular routines to help slow the progression of disease, while recognizing that there is limited direct proof of the effectiveness of such changes. The key in this phase of the disease is to rationally make dietary and exercise changes in a way that complement any ongoing treatments.

Men who have received hormonal treatments are at particularly increased risk of developing weaker bones and muscles. For these men, endurance training to keep the cardiovascular system strong, and resistance or weight training to keep the muscles strong, coupled with healthy dietary choices focusing on achieving a goal weight, can be integrated into the treatment plan on an ongoing basis.

Finally, in men with metastatic or advanced disease, supportive nutrition is most important. Because weight loss and loss of appetite is common in men at this stage of disease, healthy nutrition and ensuring adequate calories is critical to the success of therapy and to the support of a healthy immune system.