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Clinical practice guidelines for professionals

Guidance for cancer as a whole (not specific to prostate cancer)

Develop a plan for regular physical activity and healthy nutrition.

Nutrition

  • All survivors should be encouraged to limit red meat intake to <18 oz per week and avoid processed meat.
  • All survivors should be encouraged to limit refined sugars and processed foods.
  • All survivors should be encouraged to eat a diet that is at least 50% plant-based, with the majority of food being vegetables, fruit, and whole grains.
  • Recommended sources of dietary components: 1) Fat: plant sources such as olive or canola oil, avocados, seeds and nuts, and fatty fish 2) Carbohydrates: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes 3) Protein: poultry, fish, legumes, low-fat dairy foods, and nuts

Physical activity

  • Physical activity and exercise recommendations should be tailored to individual survivor’s abilities and preferences
  • Physical activity for cancer survivors:a 1) Overall volume of weekly activity should be at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity or equivalent combination spread out over the course of the week. 2) Two to three sessions per week of strength/resistance training that include major muscle groups 3) Stretch major muscle groups at least two days per week on days that other exercises are performed
  • Engage in general physical activity daily (eg, taking the stairs, parking in the back of parking lot). Physical activity includes exercise, daily routine activities, and recreational activities
  • Avoid prolonged sedentary behavior (eg, sitting for long periods)
  • Set incremental goals for physical activity.

Body weight

  • All survivors should be encouraged to track calorie intake. Self-monitoring of caloric intake has been shown to be an effective strategy for weight management. 
  • Weight gain should be a priority for underweight survivors.
  • Weight loss should be a priority for overweight/obese survivors.
  • Weight maintenance should be a priority for normal weight survivors.

Alcohol

  • All survivors should be encouraged to minimize alcohol intake. Alcohol is high in calories, leads to poorer food choices, and is associated with elevated risk for several cancers. 
  • All survivors should be encouraged to limit intake to no more than one drink per day for a woman and two drinks per day for a man.

Tobacco

  • Avoid use or stop using cigarette/tobacco products.

Sun safety

  • Utilize a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that protects against UVA and UVB rays and is water resistant.
  • Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming/excessive sweating.
  • Consider using physical barriers whenever possible (ie, hats, shirts with sleeves, avoiding direct sun during peak hours).
  • Avoid tanning beds.

Medical care

  • Follow up with PCP regularly. Adhere to age-appropriate and treatment-associated health screening, preventive measures (SIMIN-1), and cancer screening recommendations

Supplements

  • Supplement use is not recommended for most survivors, except in instances of documented deficiencies, inadequate diet, or comorbid indications (eg, osteoporosis, ophthamologic disorders, cirrhosis).

Helpful links for professionals

Lebastchi AH, George AK et al. Standardized nomenclature and surveillance methodologies after focal therapy and partial gland ablation for localized prostate cancer: an international multidisciplinary consensus. European Urology. 2020;S0302-2838(20)30358-4.

Goujon A, Legrand G et al. Surveillance active du cancer de prostate : survie sans traitement curatif selon critères d’éligibilité stricts ou élargis [Active surveillance of prostate cancer: treatment-free survival according to restricted or expanded eligibility criteria]. Progres en Urologie. 2020 Oct;30(12):646-654. French.

Wang EY, Borno HT et al. Engaging men of diverse racial and ethnic groups with advanced prostate cancer in the design of an mhealth [mobile health] diet and exercise intervention: focus group study. JMIR Cancer. 2023 Jun 1;9:e45432.

Integrative Management of Prostate Cancer: An Overview of What Works and What Doesn’t

Dr. Geo Espinosa answers a question about appropriate use of PSA in cancer treatment. This segment begins at 1:07:25 and continues until 1:12:02 minutes into the recording (4 minutes 37 seconds run time).

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Authors

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant
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Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.

For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.

Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS Senior Clinical Consultant

Nancy Hepp, MS

Lead Researcher
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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS Lead Researcher

Last update: May 2, 2024

Last full literature search: June 2023

We are grateful to Donald I. Abrams, MD, for his review of an earlier version of this handbook.

CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.