Diet

Many men with prostate cancer change their diets after their diagnosis. Eating a heart-healthy diet that is plant-based (especially fruits and vegetables high in fibre), low in refined sugars, fat and and low amounts of red meat is recommended. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink (the less the better). If you smoke, stop doing so.

A nutrition guide from the Canadian Cancer Society can be found here. 

Doing light to moderate physical activity and exercise will have benefits for you physically, mentally, emotionally and for your energy levels. Some activities may include walking, gardening, or playing with your children/grandchildren. Talk to your doctor about what activities are right for you.

Strength training may be beneficial for you as it improves physical performance, quality of life, and reduces fatigue. Research shows that Black men with prostate cancer on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), who have little to no testosterone levels, are still able to improve muscle mass, power, strength, endurance through strength training with little difference between them and non-HRT men (Hanson et al., 2013). Talk to your doctor about what exercises are right for you.

Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring is a method for men with a low Gleason score, early stage and non-aggressive cancer. The physician monitors the cancer through regularly scheduled tests (usually monthly) to watch for increased risk or cancer progression. Sometimes a phone app is used to help monitoring and reporting results.

For some, remote monitoring may be emotionally stressful due to ongoing monitoring of one’s PSA results and it is important to take care of one’s emotional well being. See Decreased Emotional Wellness and I’ve Been Diagnosed… Now What?