Research performed at the University of Queensland has shown that a diet, which is high in cholesterol, might increase the spread of prostate cancer tumors to lymph nodes, lungs and bones.

According to the UQ Diamantina Institute study leader Dr Michelle Hill this research highlighted why it is important for men with prostate cancer to choose a low-cholesterol diet. He said that a “High cholesterol doesn’t change the size of the original prostate cancer tumor, but the effect on cancer spreading was shown to be significant.”

The research went beyond the normal studies that show that there is a correlation between a high cholesterol diet and prostate cancer progression. It looked for the reason the correlation exists. They found that that are two key proteins which enable the cholesterol to promote the spread of the cancer.

Dr Hill said. “Cholesterol acts like a magnet, pulling these two proteins to the surface of the cancer cell.
This disrupts the function of the cell, makes it more aggressive and spreads it elsewhere in the body.
“If we can block the magnetic effect cholesterol has on these two proteins, our research could lead to future treatments preventing the spread of prostate cancer.

Even though the study needs to be replicated I believe that men with prostate cancer should be aware of their intake of cholesterol and work to reduce it through dietary modification and possibly by taking existing cholesterol fighting medication (statins).

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-03-reveals-highcholesterol-diet-prostate-cancer.html

Joel T Nowak, M.A., M.S.W.