Healthy Diet and Fitness Program May Improve Prostate Cancer Outcomes

• Researchers say a monitored program of diet, exercise, and behavioral support may improve prostate cancer treatment outcomes.
• The scientists reported that men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer who followed the lifestyle regimen known as STAMINA experienced improved quality of life.
• Experts say a healthy lifestyle regimen that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise can be beneficial for those with cancer.

An enhanced diet and exercise program may improve quality of life for men undergoing a common prostate cancer treatment.

Researchers in the United Kingdom report that the lifestyle program known as STAMINA reduced the deterioration in quality of life by as much as one-third in men who were receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

The researchers added the STAMINA regimen of regular exercise, dietary advice, and behavioral support, which also proved to be cost-effective.

The study’s successful result spurred Nuffield Health, which participated in the research, to launch a new cancer activity program to make a version of STAMINA available for men with prostate cancer.

Nuffield Health plans to expand the program to breast and bowel cancer in 50,000 medical facilities by 2030. The study findings were published on September 4 in The Lancet Oncology.

“The STAMINA lifestyle intervention meets best practice guidelines, can be implemented in NHS [National Health Service] trusts in England, and offers clinicians a clear basis for identification and prescription of a supervised exercise and dietary advice intervention to mitigate negative effects associated with ADT,” the study authors wrote.

Ying Wang, PhD, a senior principal scientist with the Department of Population Science at the American Cancer Society, said the new study provides some important insights. Wang wasn’t involved in the study.

“Much of the research in this area has focused on breast cancer survivors, so strong trial evidence that a structured lifestyle program improves quality of life and reduces fatigue specifically among men receiving ADT is especially valuable,” Wang told Healthline.

Lifestyle factors help improve cancer treatment outcomes

The STAMINA program was a five-year research project funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in the United Kingdom.

It was designed around pre-existing research recommendations to assess the long-term impact of supervised exercise training on both quality of life and fatigue in men on androgen deprivation therapy.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a hormone-blocking treatment that works by lowering the levels of androgen hormones such as testosterone in the body to help block androgen-dependent cancers.

It is often combined with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. ADT is administered through medications that reduce androgen levels.”

The potential side effects of ADT include:

• low sex drive
• erectile dysfunction
• loss of bone density
• fatigue
• mood changes

The researchers said they conducted their study to “determine whether the STAMINA lifestyle intervention, embedded into cancer care, would improve cancer-specific quality of life and fatigue.”

For the study, the researchers monitored 700 men who were receiving ADT for prostate cancer at 15 National Health Service (NHS) facilities in England. The median age of the participants was 71, and 97% of them were white.

The participants were randomly assigned to two separate groups between January 2022 and January 2023. Follow-up examinations were conducted through June 2024.

One group received a combination of supervised aerobic and resistance exercise along with dietary advice and behavioral support from the STAMINA program. The other group received a more standard supplementary treatment program.

The researchers reported that more than 80% of participants in the STAMINA group attended their scheduled sessions over the 12-month trial period.

They added that participants who attended the program had better cancer-specific outcomes, including better quality of life, and reported less fatigue than men who received standard care.

The long-term effects on prostate cancer survival, however, are not yet understood.

“The study does not establish whether these benefits translate into longer survival because it assessed quality of life and fatigue over 12 months rather than cancer outcomes,” Wang said.

Balanced diet, regular exercise help support a healthier prostate

S. Adam Ramin, MD, a urologist, urologic oncologist, and medical director of Urology Cancer Specialists in Los Angeles, says lifestyle modifications can yield significant benefits for men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Ramin wasn’t involved in the study.

He said a diet that “emphasizes leafy greens, legumes, and healthy fats — not red meat — supports a healthier prostate, and this study supports the consumption of healthy fats for potentially longer survival after a prostate cancer diagnosis.”

Ramin added that regular exercise can also boost prostate health.

“Regular exercise promotes a healthier lifestyle and can reduce mental stress,” he told Healthline. “Exercise releases endorphins (chemicals produced by the nervous system that help the body cope with pain and stress) into the bloodstream, which positively affect overall health — both physical and mental.”

He said exercises such as running, swimming, and working out on an elliptical machine can be beneficial.

“In the post-treatment period for prostate cancer, healthy eating habits and exercise may improve outcomes by reducing inflammation in the body and supporting a stronger immune system,” Ramin said.

Wang noted that the American Cancer Society’s prostate cancer survivorship guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, such as brisk walking, together with resistance training and a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

“The physiological rationale for exercise and healthy eating is strong and supported by broader survivorship evidence,” Wang said, adding that coaching and consultation are important post-cancer tools. “A key lesson from STAMINA is that information alone may not be sufficient,” she explained.

“Both study groups received education, clinician encouragement, and behavioral prompts. The additional benefit observed with supervised exercise, ongoing coaching, and structured program delivery suggests that helping patients translate recommendations into sustained action may be as important as the recommendations themselves,” Wang continued.

What to know about prostate cancer

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates there will be more than 330,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2026, with more than 36,000 deaths from the disease.

The organization notes that prostate cancer cases increased about 3% per year between 2014 and 2022, with the steepest rise occurring in advanced-stage diagnoses.

According to the ACS, the increase in diagnoses is largely due to more men being screened for the disease. The organization also notes that Black males have a higher incidence of prostate cancer than white males.

However, the ACS states that there is a 99% 5-year survival rate if prostate cancer is detected in its early stages.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in males. It occurs when malignant cells form a tumor in the prostate gland, which can then spread to other parts of the body.

The risk factors for prostate cancer include:

• being over the age of 50
• having a family history of the disease
• obesity

Some forms of prostate cancer don’t produce early symptoms. Advanced stages of the disease can produce symptoms that include:

• frequent need to urinate
• a weak or slow urine stream
• bleeding while urinating
• erectile dysfunction
• pain or numbness in the legs and feet

Prostate cancer can be detected through screening with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test or a digital rectal exam (DRE). Imaging tests, such as an MRI or ultrasound, along with a biopsy, are used for diagnosis.

Treatments for prostate cancer include:

• surgery
• radiation
• chemotherapy
• immunotherapy
• hormone-based therapy
• observation or active surveillance

Ramin said that a person’s outlook on life during cancer treatment can make a big difference.

“Prostate cancer and its treatments can be emotionally challenging. Consider joining a support group for men who have undergone similar experiences. Talking with a therapist may also be beneficial in managing stress and anxiety post-treatment,” he said.

Ramin said that a positive outlook can help improve prostate cancer recovery and overall well-being.

“Focus on the positive aspects of life and celebrate milestones. Connect with loved ones for support and motivation,” he said.