Purpose: To evaluate the present human-based evidence that diet is related to the risk and outcome of prostate cancer.
Methods: Review of major case-control and cohort studies, and experimental trials evaluating the effect of diet or dietary constituents on the risk of prostate cancer.
Results: Although non-experimental studies have suggested several dimensions of diet and several dietary components as related to risk and outcome of prostate cancer, the results of these studies are inconsistent. There is limited evidence that a diet that emphasizes plant products is associated with diminished risk of prostate cancer and of aggressive prostate cancer.
Conclusion: The non-experimental epidemiologic evidence that has now accrued justifies trials of dietary intervention for those at elevated risk of prostate cancer.