Eating well can support your general health, strength and wellbeing before, during and after prostate cancer treatment. There is no single food, diet, supplement or herbal product that has been proven to cure prostate cancer.
What is most helpful depends on your treatment, appetite, weight, other health conditions and any side effects you are experiencing.
Read Prostate Cancer UK guidance on nutrition and healthy eating.
A balanced diet
If your weight is stable and you are eating well, aim for a varied, balanced diet. This usually means including:
- plenty of fruit and vegetables
- wholegrain or higher-fibre carbohydrates where suitable
- protein foods such as beans, lentils, eggs, fish, poultry, dairy foods or alternatives
- healthy sources of fat
- enough fluids
Eating a range of foods is generally more useful than focusing on one so-called “superfood”.
See our Lifestyle & Cancer page for broader information about healthy living during and after prostate cancer treatment.
Protein, muscle and strength
Protein is important for maintaining muscle, particularly during cancer treatment and as we get older. This can be especially relevant for people having hormone therapy, which can affect muscle mass and body composition.
Try to include a source of protein with meals where possible. If you are losing weight, have a poor appetite or are struggling to eat enough, ask your clinical nurse specialist or GP whether a referral to a dietitian would help.
Weight and prostate cancer treatment
Maintaining a healthy weight can support general health, heart health and physical function. However, losing weight unintentionally during treatment is different from planned weight loss and should be discussed with your healthcare team.
If your appetite is poor or you are losing weight, you may need more energy- and protein-rich foods rather than a lower-calorie diet.
Do particular foods treat prostate cancer?
Foods such as tomatoes, soya foods, vegetables and other plant foods can form part of a healthy diet, but no individual food has been shown to treat prostate cancer on its own.
There is also no good evidence that cutting out sugar or dairy products cures prostate cancer. Removing whole food groups unnecessarily can make it harder to get enough energy, protein, calcium and other nutrients.
Supplements and herbal products
Be cautious with vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies and other supplements that claim to slow, treat or cure cancer. Some can interact with cancer medicines or other prescribed treatments.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist, dietitian or specialist nurse about any supplements or herbal products you take or are thinking of taking. High-dose supplements are not automatically safer because they are described as “natural”.
Read NHS cancer nutrition guidance.
Eating during treatment
Treatment can affect appetite, taste, digestion and energy levels. You may sometimes need to adapt what you eat because of nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, mouth problems, fatigue or weight loss.
There is no need to follow a special cancer diet unless your healthcare team advises one. If you are having chemotherapy or another treatment that affects your immune system, follow any food-safety advice provided by your treatment centre.
When to ask for specialist nutrition support
Ask your GP, clinical nurse specialist or oncology team about dietitian support if you are:
- losing weight without trying
- struggling to eat enough
- having persistent nausea, diarrhoea or other digestive problems
- unsure what to eat because of another medical condition
- considering a restrictive diet or high-dose supplements
Questions to ask your healthcare team
- Do I need to change my diet because of my treatment?
- Am I getting enough protein and energy?
- Should I be trying to lose, gain or maintain weight?
- Are any supplements unsafe with my medicines?
- Would a referral to a dietitian be helpful?
This information provides general nutrition guidance for people affected by prostate cancer and does not replace individual advice from your healthcare team or a registered dietitian.