A plant-based diet could be a game-changer for cancer patients, with new research indicating that loading up on vegetables, lentils, fruits, nuts, and whole grains might extend the lives of those battling the disease.
Four separate studies compiled into a review for the International Journal of Cancer (IJC) have highlighted that a diet centred around plant-based foods, coupled with staying active, may significantly boost survival rates for bowel cancer patients.
In a similar vein, research featured in Jama Network Open has uncovered that men suffering from prostate cancer could slash their risk of the disease progressing by nearly half if they adhere to a predominantly plant-based diet.
However, the scientists behind the IJC research have called for more comprehensive studies, advocating for better-designed trials and larger observational cohorts to refine lifestyle advice for cancer survivors.
Dr Helen Croker, the assistant director of research and policy at World Cancer Research Fund International which backed the review, commented: “This comprehensive and rigorous review of the current state of evidence offers useful guidance on some of the diet and lifestyle factors that could improve cancer survival, and potentially help people living with and beyond cancer enjoy longer, healthier lives.”
She also noted the pressing need for further research, stating: “At the same time, it shows a clear need for more well-designed intervention and cohort studies to support the development of robust recommendations for colorectal (bowel) cancer patients and health professionals.”
“As we are seeing an increase of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer at younger ages, it is more important than ever that health advice is based on high-quality research.”
The CUP Global research team at Imperial College London spearheaded the reviews on the effects of diet and lifestyle on bowel cancer.
One of the studies saw the team scrutinising data from 40 studies involving 30,000 people to understand the impact of diet on bowel cancer survival.
They concluded that while overall evidence was “limited”, a “consumption of a healthy diet, including diet patterns with plant-based foods, and avoidance of sugary drinks may be associated with improved overall survival after a colorectal cancer diagnosis”.
Another review, which involved examining data from 16 studies with 82,000 people, suggests physical activities such as cycling, gardening, housework, sports, or walking, could be linked to longer survival for patients with bowel cancer.
The CUP Global Expert Committee on Cancer Survivorship and Expert Panel independently interpreted and graded the quality of the evidence.
Dr Doris Chan, senior research fellow in nutrition at Imperial College London, and Dr Kostas Tsilidis, reader in cancer epidemiology and prevention at the same institution, have confidently stated: “We analysed several hundred studies, and although most had limitations and potential biases, we are confident that it represents the best and most up-to-date body of evidence that can assist people living with or beyond cancer in making evidence-based decisions on lifestyle changes that can improve their wellbeing.”
In a separate study published by Jama, involving over 2,000 men, results indicated that those who scored highest on the plant-based diet indexa gauge of adherence to plant-based eatingwere found to have a staggering 47% lower risk of prostate cancer progression compared to those with lower scores.
The researchers concluded: “These findings suggest that consuming a primarily plant-based diet may be associated with better prostate cancerspecific health outcomes among men with prostate cancer.”
