How Exercise Could Keep Prostate Cancer Patients Alive

A new study of prostate cancer patients has found that those who exercise more have a lower risk of overall death, and death due to the disease itself. It has shown that men could help halt prostate cancer’s progression and improve survival rates by getting some exercise.

U.S. researchers also found that men who did more vigorous activity had the lowest risk of dying from the disease. It is believed to be the first study to address exercise and its protection against prostate cancer death. It’s published in the “Journal of Clinical Oncology.” And it’s good news for men living with prostate cancer who wonder what lifestyle practices to follow to improve their chances for survival.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer among men in the U.S. It strikes one in six U.S. men during their lifetime. About two million Americans are prostate cancer survivors.

The new study was conducted in 2,705 men patients over an 18-year period. Each man reported the average time per week he spent exercising. This included including walking, running, bicycling, swimming and other sports and outdoor work.

The results showed that both non-vigorous and vigorous activity were beneficial for overall survival. Compared with men who walked less than 90 minutes per week at an easy pace, those who walked 90 or more minutes per week at a normal to very brisk pace had a 46% lower risk of dying from any cause.

When it came to prostate cancer, vigorous activity was needed to influence survival. “Vigorous” means less than it sounds — just three hours a week. Men who did this had a 61% lower risk of prostate cancer-specific death compared with men who did less than one hour per week of vigorous activity.

These are levels of activity that are easily attainable by most adults who don’t have impaired mobility. The results show that prostate cancer shouldn’t prevent you from exercising, as the physical activity could have far-reaching implications for survival. Even 15 minutes of activity per day of walking, jogging, biking or gardening can have a real effect. And if you can inch up to over three hours of exercise a week, then you’re doing your body a world of good.