Diet and nutrition in urologic cancer.

Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world and is projected to become the leading cause of death in the United States and other developed countries in the next few years. There is a large body of evidence linking diet and nutrition with the development of urologic cancers. This is an area where intervention and education can have a major preventive effect on the occurrence of cancer on a worldwide basis. With bladder cancer, a significant protective effect is conferred by a combination of high doses of vitamins A, B6, C and E plus zinc. For prostate cancer, reduced fat intake has a protective effect. A lesser benefit is also suggested with intake of vitamins D and C. Evidence for chemoprevention against renal cell cancer is supported mainly by epidemiologic studies with animal studies indicating possible benefit of vitamin D supplementation. Further research is needed before vitamins and other nutritional supplements can be advocated as standard therapy. Current data support increased intake of vitamins A, B6, C, D and E, reduction of animal fat and increased intake of fruits and vegetables.