Vitamin D

As with everything else, a healthy diet and exercise (particularly outdoors) is good for everyone, including men with PCa.

I was diagnosed 4 years ago.  My urologist immediately put me on a daily vitamin D, daily aspirin and daily statin.  I’m still on them

Alison, there's a known correlation between low vitamin D during puberty and prostate cancer in later life. More than one study has shown the link, in some cases by working back from lack of exposure to sunlight during teenage years rather than by having historic vitamin D readings. Professor Tim Oliver presented on this (and some other light hearted correlations that apply during puberty) at last year's Tackle Prostate Cancer conference.

There has been the suggestion many times that this could be a significant contributory factor in black men having a higher incidence of prostate cancer too, but there's been no research on that as a cause.

The causal link between vitamin D during puberty and prostate cancer is not known far as I know.

It's also worth mentioning, for anyone taking vitamin D supplements (and other anti-oxidants) and having radiotherapy, that there is a theoretical conflict, causing some people to suggest avoiding vitamin D during radiotherapy. One way vitamin D operates is to generate enzymes that mop up free radicals, which might otherwise cause DNA corruptions, which is one way to start cancer. Radiotherapy on the other hand works by generating loads of free radicals in order to corrupt DNA, and during that period you don't want to be trying to mop them up.

Edited by member 02 Nov 2020 at 08:19  | Reason: Not specified

I had borderline low vitamin D levels in winter for some years. I’ve put myself on a modest 1000IU daily dose initially as data is also emerging ref Covid-19 hospitalisation rate and apparent low vit D level (proper study needed to eliminate cause and effect etc). 

After a month will back this off to ~500IU daily.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

Here is an interesting link: https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/prostate-cancer/by-country/male

When I spoke to the prof ref PCa risks he mentioned saturated fats are under the spotlight in terms of research.

Asian nations appear to have a lower incident rate which I suspect might be influenced by diet. 

The general advice appears to be eat a varied diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fats.

My diet has always been pretty good so I’m thinking genetic factors are at play in my case. This was backed up by my ex who is an immunologist and cancer researcher. Her view was that genetics play a high role in cancer...perhaps as much at 60-70% then the rest is a mixup of lifestyle and diet.