Sugar and PSA levels
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer about six years ago when my psa was appx 4, with a Gleeson score of 6. I decided to go on 'surveillance' without treatment. My psa has steadily increased, but I have kept a close watch on my diet and the rise and fall of psa levels. My levels are at 14 now, but the cancer is still within the prostate. I am lining up for Brachytherapy. But what I have noticed in those six years of 'surveillance' is that restricting sugar seems to lower my psa levels (stops the rise of it). I have also been taking vit D3 (8000iu) and K2 tablet). It's going to be interesting to see my psa levels before my next appointment with my oncologist in two months. Any other experiences similar?
Hi
. I can't personally speak to this question, but I did find this research paper which found sugar intake positively associated with higher psa levels: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7811566/. This study focused on those with no history of malignant tumors, but I wonder if that could even be stronger evidence of the impact of sugar on PSA. I did also find a couple of studies that did not find an impact of vitamin D levels of PSA, but a deficiency may be associated with higher PCA risk (see here for example: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7545131/). Hope this information is helpful and can inform further conversations with your doctors. Best, Richard (Team Member) Thankyou Richard for that information. I will keep to my low sugar diet, and taking D3 & K2 vitamins. I wonder if diabetics with restricted sugar diet have less prostate cancer?. Lewis
Hi
. It almost seems counterintuitive, but there seems to be something to your thought on diabetes and prostate cancer. This study found an inverse relationship - diabetics with lower risk of prostate cancer: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-020-0910-y. Best, Richard (Team Member)
Thank's again Richard, As only a non scientific bod, I tend to think these complex studies may just be overlooking the obvious...reduced sugar intake ..less cancer. Pity I've noticed this quite late in the day for me but I still have to wait until late August to see my oncologist in North Wales before my treatment is determined. Lewis
