Lifestyle and prostate cancer

Eating a healthy, nutritious diet and keeping physically active is important for your recovery from prostate cancer.¹ It’s also good idea not to smoke and to drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.¹

Diet and nutrition

With regards to diet, the general advice is the same as it is for everyone – try to eat a balanced and varied diet.^2,4

This means eating a variety of foods that contain different proteins, carbohydrates and fats.⁴

Of course, there may be times when you do not feel like eating or may be too tired to make yourself something to eat. Prostate cancer treatments may also affect what you feel like eating or what you can eat, and sometimes, a little of what you fancy does you good.²

If you are unsure about what you should be eating or want to find out more about how diet and nutrition can help your prostate cancer, talk to your doctor or specialist nurse. They may suggest a referral to a dietician.

Exercise and prostate cancer

Keeping active is an important aspect of living with prostate cancer.⁵

Together with eating a healthy balanced diet, keeping yourself physically fit can help prevent weight gain and may also ease some of the side effects of prostate cancer treatments.^1,5

Remember, regular exercise does not need to be complicated or arduous. It can include doing everyday activities that you enjoy, such as walking or gardening, or perhaps taking the stairs instead of the lift. The important thing is to do something that you will be able to and want to keep up.

It is also important to talk to your doctor or specialist nurse before embarking on any new exercise regimens, and to also tell them about any difficulties you have when exercising.

Sleep and prostate cancer

Getting a good night’s rest, or taking time out when you need it, is important for all of us, but perhaps more so when you have prostate cancer.

Problems with sleeping can be due to the worries of the day but may also be a side effect of prostate cancer treatment.³ Hormone therapy for prostate cancer, for example, can cause hot flushes that may make you feel too hot or uncomfortable to sleep.³

If you are having difficulties getting or staying asleep, then your doctor or specialist nurse should be able to suggest some ways to help you.

Looking after your mental health

Coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis, the side effects of prostate cancer treatments, or perhaps learning that you have a shorter lifespan than expected, can all take a toll on your mental health.⁶

It may be difficult to stay connected to family and friends, or sometimes communicate how you feel, but it is important to try not to feel too overwhelmed and to ask for help when you need it.

Emotional support is as important as physical support when it comes to treatment, so be sure to talk to your doctor or specialist nurse about any mental struggles you may be having.

Talking to others affected by prostate cancer may also be inspiring and helpful. There are lots of Irish-based patient groups and charities that provide support services for people with prostate cancer. The details of some of these can be found in Further Information & Support

Sexual health and prostate cancer

Alongside getting mental health support when you need it, talking about your sexual health is also important.

Prostate cancer treatment side effects can impact your sex drive and cause erectile problems. Coupled with fatigue these may have a knock-on effect on your ability and desire to be intimate with a partner, or just how you feel generally in yourself.

The Further Information & Support page of this website also has a link to a public awareness campaign called ‘Shed Some Light on Prostate Cancer’. This national roadshow series launched by Ipsen and the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) aims to raise awareness and stimulate conversation around prostate cancer by creating opportunities for men to share their own stories with peers.

References

1. ESMO. Prostate cancer guide for patients. Available at: https://www.esmo.org/for-patients/patient-guides/prostate-cancer (Accessed: July 2025).
2. NHS. The Eatwell guide. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/the-eatwell-guide/ (Accessed: July 2025).
3. Cancer Research UK. Living with prostate cancer. Sleep. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/hormone-symptoms/sleep-problems-sex-hormone-symptoms (Accessed: July 2025).
4. Cancer Research UK. Living with prostate cancer. Diet. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/diet (Accessed: July 2025).
5. Cancer Research UK. Living with prostate cancer. Physical activity and weight. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/physical-activity (Accessed: July 2025).
6. Cancer Research UK. Living with prostate cancer. Coping. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/coping (Accessed: July 2025).