Introduction

In the U.S. today, over 3,500,000 men are living with prostate cancer. Most of them were diagnosed in early stages of the disease when it was still localized (contained in the gland). According to OncoDaily, as many as 90% remain disease free 10 years after treatment. They are not likely to die from their prostate cancer.

Instead, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among patients with localized prostate cancer. In fact, “Patients with localized PCa have a higher risk of CVD-related death compared to the general population and the risk increases steadily with survival.”^[i]

This raises the question, are there lifestyle changes that can increase long-term survival for men diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer?

Can poor diet shorten survival after a prostate cancer diagnosis?

Two main factors influence the lifespan of a prostate cancer patient: biology and lifestyle. Biology includes things like genes and prostate cancer cell lines, plus overall health. Lifestyle refers to diet, exercise, socioeconomic conditions, relationships, and stress management. Lifestyle choices are so powerful they can even influence prostate cancer biology!^[ii]

One lifestyle factor in particular plays a key role in prostate cancer survival: diet. This is especially important in light of the fact that cardiovascular disease is a more worrisome cause of death than prostate cancer itself. The American Heart Association states that poor diet is strongly linked to cardiovascular-related diseases and death. Thus, poor diet can shorten survival after a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Is there a diet that promotes better prostate cancer survival?

Yes, there are healthy dietary choices that can improve survival in prostate cancer and other cancers. “Better overall diet quality was associated with improved survival among breast and colorectal cancer survivors; adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated to lower risk of mortality in colorectal and prostate cancer survivors.”^[iii]

It’s important to identify what defines a healthy diet for prostate cancer patients. Studies going back 20 or more years pointed to plant-based regimens. “… [T]hese early investigations suggest that a recommendation for individual patients to shift their diets toward plant foods may serve as an important component of the tertiary treatment of prostate cancer.”^[iv] Then, in 2022 Hardt et al. found that, “A higher vegetable fat intake was related to improved prognosis in prostate cancer survivors.”^[v]

And yet, saturated fat from meat and dairy products continues to infiltrate packaged foods, ultraprocessed foods, and fast foods. Animal-derived fats and byproducts appear as hidden additives or processing agents in a variety of foods, condiments, etc. Ingredient names do not necessarily reveal they are sourced with saturated animal fat.

What does the latest study show for diet and prostate cancer survival?

The most recent published evidence supports plant-based diets for better future outcomes after a prostate cancer diagnosis. A September, 2026 paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) focused on saturated fats as a mortality risk for prostate cancer survivors.

Dietary case records for over 4800 patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer were divided into five equal groups called quintiles (each group equals 20% of the total). The first quintile consisted of those who consumed the lowest saturated fat, while the fifth quintile consisted of those who consumed the highest.

The authors wrote that “those in the highest quintile of saturated fat consumption after diagnosis had a higher risk of death, primarily from cardiovascular disease or other cancers, compared with those in the lowest quintile of saturated fat consumption.”^[vi]

Animal fat, a major source of saturated fats, was positively associated with all-cause mortality and with an increased risk specific for death from other cancers. However, replacing as little as 10% of animal fats with plant-based fat sources and replacing 5% of calories from saturated fats with monounsaturated fats was already linked with a decrease in all-cause mortality. So, it doesn’t take much to improve survival.

The Sperling Prostate Center is committed to each patient’s total well-being. We have many blogs like this one on the merits of plant-based or plant-forward eating for overall and prostate health. We support the authors’ broad conclusion: “Diets that emphasize monounsaturated and plant-based fat sources are just one component of a healthier lifestyle for patients with prostate cancer, which also includes healthy body weight, regular physical activity, and not smoking.” Or, as we like to say, what’s good for the heart is good for the prostate, and vice versa.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Does dietary fat cause prostate cancer?

A: No, in itself dietary fat does not cause prostate cancer. In fact, some fat in our diet is good because it provides essential energy, supports cell function, and helps our bodies absorb vital fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, and E. The problem occurs when eating too much fat—especially saturated fat—leads to overweight and obesity! Excess fat tissue acts as an active endocrine organ that releases inflammatory chemicals, alters key hormones, and disrupts how cells process energy. It causes a state of chronic inflammation, which in turn sets up an environment that fosters tumor development.

Q: Is there a diet recommended for prostate health and longevity?

A: The two top diets recommended by experts for cardiovascular health and longevity are the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. As we pointed out, the leading cause of a shortened life for men with localized prostate cancer is not their cancer, but heart disease. These two diets foster cardiovascular health because unlike the inflammatory Western diet style, they are non-inflammatory. That is, they help keep chronic inflammation away—and chronic inflammation is a risk factor for prostate cancer. Therefore, prostate cancer patients who switch to one of these diets, or who convert to a plant-forward eating style, may be adding to their lifespan by preventing heart disease and lowering their cancer risk in general.

Content reviewed by Dr. Dan Sperling, M.D., DABR — updated October 2026

NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.

References

[i] Luo Z, Chi K, Zhao H, Liu L et al. Cardiovascular mortality by cancer risk stratification in patients with localized prostate cancer: a SEER-based study. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2023 Aug 4;10:1130691.
[ii] Ornish D, Magbanua MJ, Weidner G, Weinberg V et al. Changes in prostate gene expression in men undergoing an intensive nutrition and lifestyle intervention. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Jun 17;105(24):8369-74.
[iii] Castro-Espin C, Agudo A. The Role of Diet in Prognosis among Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Dietary Patterns and Diet Interventions. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 14;14(2):348.
[iv] Berkow SE, Barnard ND, Saxe GA, Ankerberg-Nobis T. Diet and survival after prostate cancer diagnosis. Nutr Rev. 2007 Sep;65(9):391-403.
[v] Hardt L, Mahamat-Saleh Y, Aune D, Schlesinger S. Plant-Based Diets and Cancer Prognosis: a Review of Recent Research. Curr Nutr Rep. 2022 Dec;11(4):695-716.
[vi] Zhang Y, Shanahan MR, Guard HE, Ji J et al. Dietary Fat Intake and Mortality Among Patients With Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Sep 1;9(9):e2630693.

About Dr. Dan Sperling

Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.