Eating more fruit and vegetables after treatment reduces the risk of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer returning, according to research published in European Journal of Nutrition.
Researchers analyzed tracking data from 1,396 patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer who were observed for an average of about 4.7 years. Participants reported their daily dietary intake prior to diagnosis, as well as three months and 15 months after diagnosis.
During the observation period, the disease returned at least once in 466 patients. Meanwhile, the tumor progressed in 153 patients.
Dietary intake and recurrence rates
The study found that every additional 100 grams of fruit and vegetables consumed daily three months after diagnosis was associated with roughly a nine percent reduction in the risk of a first recurrence.
Patients who increased their daily intake by 100 grams after diagnosis experienced approximately a 10 percent lower risk of first recurrence. However, researchers found no connection between fruit and vegetable consumption and the risk of disease progression or repeated recurrences.
Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer is a form of cancer where malignant cells remain restricted to the inner lining of the bladder wall rather than growing into the deeper muscle. It represents the majority of bladder cancer diagnoses, and while initial treatment is effective, the condition is known for frequent recurrences that require long-term medical surveillance.
In practical terms, an additional 100 grams of fruits or vegetables is roughly equivalent to eating one small apple, a serving of broccoli, or a small side salad each day. Small dietary adjustments of this scale are generally considered manageable targets for patients during post-treatment recovery.
Observational limits and related research
The authors of the study emphasized that the work was observational and does not prove that eating fruits and vegetables directly prevents tumor recurrence. Observational health studies identify statistical associations across patient groups but cannot single out cause and effect.
The European Journal of Nutrition is a peer-reviewed scientific publication focused on human dietetics, clinical nutrition, and metabolic health. Studies published in the journal aim to identify dietary patterns that may inform future clinical trials and health recommendations.
The new findings add to growing scientific research on how nutrition affects cancer outcomes. Scientists previously discovered that a high intake of vitamins A, B6, D, and E reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, a form of malignancy affecting the colon or rectum.
