Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer for men. Fortunately, there are more men living longer following a diagnosis, where up to 76.5% of men are surviving five-year post-diagnosis. However, prostate cancer survivors are experiencing an increasing number of morbidities (side effects), specifically: reductions in quality of life and functional performance, increase in fatigue, and changes to body composition; which may contribute to the premature development of sarcopenia, frailty and osteoporosis.
Ten high quality studies were reviewed and results indicate that exercise positively effects muscle mass and strength, muscular and aerobic endurance, walking speed and overall quality of life. Performing exercise on a minimum of 2-3 days per week can significantly lead to the improvements concluded. Unfortunately, only ~30% of prostate cancer survivors engage in sufficient physical activity to elicit a health benefit. Here are a few tips on what we can do starting today:
- Have your prostate screening test sooner rather than later. If not for yourself, do it for your loved ones.
- If you are a prostate cancer survivor, it’s time to increase your physical activity levels to elicit a physical benefit (if you have not already done so):
- Speak to your local Physical Therapist regarding the benefits of exercise and its impact on quality of life
