Dietary Fiber Intake and Prostate Cancer Outcomes and All-Cause Mortality: Findings From a Secondary Analysis of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Study
This observational analysis examined how higher dietary fiber intake is associated with the risk of developing prostate cancer, prostate-cancer specific mortality, and all-cause mortality. The authors analyzed data from large screening and follow-up cohorts, comparing men in higher vs lower tertiles of fiber intake.
They found that greater fiber consumption was linked with lower incidence of prostate cancer (in certain screening arms) and lower risk of death from all causes. The results suggest a potential protective benefit of dietary fiber for men’s health outcomes.
Of note, men with type 2 diabetes are actually at lower risk of developing prostate cancer because they typically present with low testosterone levels. However, some of the hormonal treatments that help men survive prostate cancer can increase their risk of developing type 2 diabetes after treatment. This is where high fiber foods play a particularly important role in prevention and quality of life.
3 KEY POINTS
- Higher fiber intake was associated with lower all-cause mortality in the cohort studied. The authors emphasize total dietary fiber rather than specific fiber types — This suggests that different kinds of fiber may all contribute to health benefit, not just one specific type.
- The findings add to the body of literature linking higher fiber diets with broader health benefits (including lower all-cause mortality) and suggest that men’s prostate health might be one additional domain where fiber is relevant — thereby supporting public health guidance for higher fiber consumption.
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Because the association is with all-cause mortality, not just prostate cancer, the study supports more general public health messaging about fiber as part of a healthy diet. Encouraging higher fiber intake aligns with broader dietary recommendations for chronic disease prevention, not just cancer.
Although not the main focus of this paper, prior studies (and the authors discuss) possible mechanisms: fiber may improve insulin sensitivity, affecting IGF-1 signaling, and fiber fermentation can produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that have anti-inflammatory and other beneficial effects.
Signing off with confidence that fiber rules and cancer drools.
Link to the PDF of the article
Lauren Plunkett RDN LD CDCES
LP Nutrition Consulting