How the Mediterranean Diet Can Extend the Life of Cancer Survivors

A new study shows that the Mediterranean diet may help cancer survivors improve their heart health and live longer.

Among long-term cancer survivors (study participants had been diagnosed with cancer an average of eight years earlier), those who closely followed the Mediterranean dietary pattern had a 32 percent lower risk of dying from any cause and a 58 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than those who did not follow this diet at all.

The Mediterranean diet has been well studied among the general population, and a series of studies support this eating pattern as an important strategy for overall health and for reducing the risk of chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease and cancer.

This is especially important because previous studies have found that cancer survivors are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, says Expert. One study concluded that cancer survivors have a 42 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to people without cancer.

Reducing the risk of cancer survivorship in a growing population

The study prospectively collected data from 802 participants (476 women, 326 men, mean age 63 years) living in Italy who had received any cancer diagnosis and had a related cancer diagnosis. Information on cancer treatment was also available from medical records.

Participants were surveyed about their diet over the past 12 months using a validated food frequency questionnaire. This diet was rated on a 10-point scale based on how similar it was to the Mediterranean diet (bad: 0-3, average: 4-5, good: 6-9). The groups were then analyzed and compared in 2-point increments based on previous studies using this scale.

After an average of 12 years of follow-up, the researchers reported that 248 people had died from any cause, of which 59 were cardiovascular disease-related and 140 from cancer.

The analysis found that for every two-point increase in the Mediterranean diet score, there was a 16 percent reduction in deaths from all causes. These results showed that cancer survivors who adhered closely to dietary patterns were less likely to die from any cause or from heart disease than those who adhered less closely. However, the association between nutritional value and cancer-related death was not statistically significant.

The researchers found that participants with higher Mediterranean diet scores tended to have higher incomes and education levels, and reported greater physical activity, than those with lower scores, but the analysis took these factors into account as well as other factors that may affect the results, such as age, physical activity, education level, and smoking status.

According to data collected in January 2022, an estimated 18.1 million Americans (5.4% of the population) have survived a cancer diagnosis, and that number is expected to increase to 22.5 million by 2032.

How the Mediterranean diet can promote health and longevity after a cancer diagnosis

The Mediterranean diet can improve heart health and help cancer survivors live longer in several ways. It is rich in foods that are natural sources of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, which have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. “That may lead to reduced low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress, two mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of both cardiovascular disease and cancer,” says Expert. “Major food sources of polyphenols are fruits and nuts, vegetables, and cereals, as well as olive oil, which is the main source of added fat in the Mediterranean diet.”

The Mediterranean diet also promotes a balanced diet and nutritious foods, which helps maintain a healthy weight and immune function, Expert says. These two factors may independently contribute to longevity in cancer survivors.

What’s the best diet to follow after a cancer diagnosis?

Current dietary recommendations from the International Cancer Research Fund recommend that cancer survivors eat more whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes, avoid sugary drinks, and limit fast food, red meat, processed meat and other processed foods, as well as limit fatty foods, starch and sugar content, says Expert.

“Although these recommendations do not make direct reference to the Mediterranean diet, they basically align with the Mediterranean diet principles,” Expert says. That includes a focus on fresh foods, often those that are in season, and are minimally processed.

When many people hear the term “Mediterranean diet,” they think they have to eat traditional Greek food, says Expert. “But really, it’s just a shorthand for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, herbs, spices, and teas. Anyone can eat these foods in any style of cuisine they like, not just culinary styles from the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea,” she says. The goal is to focus on healthy fats, whole grains, and phytochemicals, which she calls “natural cancer fighters,” that are found in plants.”

“In general, these [study] findings support what’s been seen in other observational studies on a Mediterranean diet and cancer survival,” says Expert. He points out that other types of healthy diets, including those high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables, can also promote health, survival, and quality of life.

“The message is that even after a cancer diagnosis, people can make a difference by maintaining or adopting a healthy eating style, such as the Mediterranean diet,” says Expert.