The benefit of exercise in prostate cancer survivors

The authors aimed to determine the benefit of exercise in prostate cancer survivors. Results concluded that exercise had a positive effect on cancer-specific fatigue, heart health and lower body strength.

There are numerous types of treatment available for men with prostate cancer. The type of treatment received is dependant on the stage of prostate cancer, and whether the cancer is contained in the prostate or has spread throughout the body. Common treatments for prostate cancer can lead to a number of negative side effects. Surgery to remove the prostate gland and radiation treatments can both have a negative effect on sexual function and may cause incontinence (loss of bladder control). Hormone therapy targets the male sex hormones active in prostate cancer, such as testosterone. This type of treatment can affect energy levels and increase the risk of heart disease and bone fracture. These treatments, however, have greatly increased the number of prostate cancer survivors.

Exercise may have a beneficial effect on improving health in prostate cancer survivors. Exercise can improve energy levels and quality of life. It is not clear to what extent exercise can improve cancer-related quality of life in prostate cancer survivors.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exercise in patients who are in prostate cancer recovery.

1,574 men from 16 clinical trials were analyzed in this study. Follow-up times varyied from 8 weeks to 12 months. The types of exercise measured in this study included aerobic exercise (such as 400 meter walks and fast-paced 6 meter walks), leg presses, chest presses and strength work for the upper and lower body.

Exercise had a positive effect on cancer-specific fatigue, lower body strength and aerobic fitness. There was no effect on heart disease progression, disease progression outcomes or sexual functioning. Exercise had no significant effect on overall cancer-specific quality of life (persons ability to function on a mental, emotional and physical level after treatment).

The authors concluded that exercise had a positive effect on cancer-specific fatigue, heart health and lower body strength in patients who have survived prostate cancer.