4 Natural Remedies for Prostate Cancer Prevention

There are self-care strategies that may aid in helping to prevent prostate cancer, the third most common cause of cancer-related death in men. Located below the bladder, the prostate is the gland responsible for producing fluid for semen.

Older man in chair, thinking
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Risk Factors

One of the first steps of prostate cancer prevention is learning the key risk factors for prostate cancer. Those risk factors include:

  • family history of prostate cancer
  • a diet high in red meat and/or high-fat dairy products
  • obesity

Prostate cancer risk rises rapidly after age 50, and almost six out of ten incidences of prostate cancer occur in men over age 65. Prostate cancer is also more common among African-American men than men of other races.

Signs and Symptoms

Men with prostate cancer often have elevated levels of a substance called prostate specific antigen (PSA), which can be detected through medical screenings. Other symptoms include:

  • difficulty passing urine
  • low back pain
  • erectile dysfunction

Natural Approach to Prostate Cancer Prevention

Research suggests that the following natural substances may be of some benefit in prostate cancer prevention:

1) Lycopene

A number of studies indicate that regular consumption of lycopene (an antioxidant found in foods like tomato and watermelon) may help reduce prostate cancer risk. However, no studies have proven that taking lycopene in supplement form can decrease the risk of prostate cancer.

2) Vitamin D

Certain studies show that maintaining optimal levels of vitamin D may help protect against aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Since it can be challenging to get your fill of vitamin D solely through food sources and sunlight exposure, many medical experts recommend boosting your vitamin D levels by taking a daily supplement.

3) Omega-3 Fatty Acids

In a 2009 study of 466 men diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer and 478 age-matched men without prostate cancer, scientists found that higher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a decreased risk of aggressive prostate cancer. The study's authors suggest that omega-3s (found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel) may help fight prostate cancer by reducing inflammation.

4) Green Tea

In a population study published in 2008, researchers looked at data on 49,920 men (ages 40 to 69) and found that consumption of green tea was linked to a reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer.

More Strategies for Prostate Cancer Prevention

Following a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limiting your alcohol intake to two or fewer drinks per day, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, and visiting your healthcare provider regularly to monitor your prostate health can also be helpful for prostate cancer prevention.

If you're considering using any type of dietary supplement for prostate cancer prevention, make sure to consult your healthcare provider about the potential benefits and risks involved. Self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences.

7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Rawla P. Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer. World J Oncol. 2019 Apr;10(2):63-89. doi:10.14740/wjon1191

  2. American Cancer Society. Prostate Cancer Risk Factors.

  3. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Prostate Cancer: Symptoms and Signs.

  4. Chen P, Zhang W, Wang X, Zhao K, Negi DS, Zhuo L, Qi M, Wang X, Zhang X. Lycopene and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015 Aug;94(33):e1260. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000001260

  5. World Cancer Research Fund International. Vitamin D and Prostate Cancer.

  6. Fradet V, Cheng I, Casey G, Witte JS. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids, cyclooxygenase-2 genetic variation, and aggressive prostate cancer risk. Clin Cancer Res. 2009 Apr 1;15(7):2559-66. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-2503

  7. Kurahashi N, Sasazuki S, Iwasaki M, Inoue M, Shoichiro Tsugane for the JPHC Study Group. Green tea consumption and prostate cancer risk in japanese men: a prospective studyAmerican Journal of Epidemiology. 2007;167(1):71-77. doi:10.1093/aje/kwm249

Additional Reading
  • Chan JM, Stampfer MJ, Ma J, Gann PH, Gaziano JM, Giovannucci EL. " Dairy products, calcium, and prostate cancer risk in the Physicians' Health Study." Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 74(4):549-54.
  • Chen TC, Holick MF. "Vitamin D and prostate cancer prevention and treatment." Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2003 (9):423-30.
  • Fradet V, Cheng I, Casey G, Witte JS. "Dietary omega-3 fatty acids, cyclooxygenase-2 genetic variation, and aggressive prostate cancer risk." Clin Cancer Res. 2009 1;15(7):2559-66.
  • Giovannucci E. "A review of epidemiologic studies of tomatoes, lycopene, and prostate cancer." Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2002 227(10):852-9.
  • H. Krishna Moorthy and P. Venugopal. "Strategies for prostate cancer prevention: Review of the literature." Indian J Urol. 2008 24(3): 295–302.
  • Kurahashi N, Sasazuki S, Iwasaki M, Inoue M, Tsugane S; JPHC Study Group. "Green tea consumption and prostate cancer risk in Japanese men: a prospective study." Am J Epidemiol. 2008 1;167(1):71-7.
  • Peters U, Leitzmann MF, Chatterjee N, Wang Y, Albanes D, Gelmann EP, Friesen MD, Riboli E, Hayes RB. "Serum lycopene, other carotenoids, and prostate cancer risk: a nested case-control study in the prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian cancer screening trial." Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007 May;16(5):962-8.
Cathy Wong

By Cathy Wong
Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health.