Is It Safe For Men With Prostate Cancer To Exercise?

The answer depends on your individual risk for bone fracture and the type of exercise. For most men with early prostate cancer , it’s safe to engage in light or moderate exercise. Physical activity is an important part of staying healthy for everyone with cancer. And studies show that exercise has many benefits during cancer treatment, including improved survival and quality of life.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762911bd992e-e16b-4779-8a30-21c771299605e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c733dd49-e120-4360-857a-df72961590bb To ensure your safety, it's important to exercise to your ability and get advice from a healthcare provider before starting any new fitness program. Some exercises are safer than others during prostate cancer treatment. Benefits of Exercise for Prostate Cancer Benefits Exercise isn't just for strengthening muscles and preventing weight gain. Research is finding that exercise is helpful for prostate cancer in many ways. Fewer Treatment Side Effects Prostate cancer treatments like radiation therapy and hormone therapy improve survival by killing cancer cells or stopping their growth. But these treatments come with side effects like fatigue, muscle and bone loss, and weight gain. Exercise helps to prevent or relieve many of these problems.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629201799d5-4a4e-4a65-a9f0-2f74796ca2e0 Lower Risk for Anxiety and Depression Undergoing treatment for prostate cancer can be a very stressful and upsetting experience. It's not surprising that men with this cancer are more likely to have anxiety and depression .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b72fc62f-338a-4592-94c5-bcc336607a23e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292ffa1a25-fbf8-4ec3-8d5e-7e2c6296b8ac Men with depression are less likely to get the appropriate prostate cancer treatment, and are at greater risk for suicide. Research finds that exercise acts like a natural antidepressant, reducing distress related to prostate cancer. Men who have the highest levels of distress benefit the most from physical activity.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762962bc914b-995d-4bbf-8ff7-061d905dd15d Better Quality of Life The anxiety of living with cancer, coupled with the side effects of treatment, can have a negative effect on quality of life. Staying active, especially through a combination of strength training and aerobic exercise, can have a positive effect on a person's well-being during treatment.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293ed68e07-ee8b-462e-a5f2-672b8e8d4914 Improved Survival One of the biggest advantages to staying active during prostate cancer treatment is that exercise might help you live longer. “There's quite a bit of evidence available to suggest that exercising after diagnosis can help with reducing prostate cancer–specific mortality and also all-cause mortality — dying specifically because of the cancer or for other reasons,” says Adriana M. Coletta, PhD , an associate professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. In one study, exercise was linked to a 30 percent lower chance of dying from prostate cancer, and a 40 percent lower risk of dying from any cause.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e544f697-1cc1-4a1d-b4fe-d646c82becda Physical activity might also reduce the risk of the cancer coming back, which is called a recurrence .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297e4977c8-fcea-4729-abef-297b23a36fa1 Potential Risks Risks Exercise is generally safe. Most people can do light- to moderate-intensity activities without any problems, other than some mild muscle soreness afterward, says Kerri Winters-Stone, PhD , Penny and Phil Knight Endowed Professor in Cancer Research Innovation at the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. But for men with advanced prostate cancer, it’s important to get medical clearance before starting any new fitness program, as hormone therapy for prostate cancer can weaken bones. Also, if the cancer has spread to the spine or hip , the bones may be too weak for certain types of exercise. “Exercise can still be safe, but it might require more precautions and supervision,” says Dr. Winters-Stone. Recommended Exercises Recommended Exercises The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends a combination of aerobic and strength training exercises for people with cancer.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ea41d181-2df6-4866-976f-333490442b0c Aerobic Exercise The benefits of aerobic exercise include weight management, fatigue reduction, and improvements in heart and lung health, says Winters-Stone. The recommended amount of aerobic exercise is 150 minutes a week (30 to 60 minutes a day, three days a week) of moderate-intensity exercises like walking, cycling, or water exercise, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous activity such as tennis or brisk walking.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ea41d181-2df6-4866-976f-333490442b0c Strength Training Benefits include building bone and muscle strength and fall prevention, says Winters-Stone. The recommended amount is two to three days a week using hand weights, resistance bands, weight machines, or your own body weight.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ea41d181-2df6-4866-976f-333490442b0c “Incorporating activities like yoga or tai chi can also help improve flexibility, balance, and mobility, which are especially important for fall prevention,” says Jessica Scott, PhD , an exercise physiologist and head of the Exercise Oncology Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Exercises to Avoid Exercises to Avoid There aren't many exercises that need to be avoided when you have prostate cancer. Light- to moderate-intensity activity should be safe for most people. “For those with bone metastases [cancer in the bones] there may be an increased risk of fractures, so exercise programs should be carefully tailored to avoid high-impact or high-risk movements,” says Dr. Scott. To be safe, have a physical therapist, exercise physiologist, or another professional who works with cancer patients design a program that's safe for you.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290beac231-784c-40bd-9450-02372be46136 How to Start Exercising After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis How to Start The sooner after your diagnosis you start exercising, the better. Staying active can help you maintain muscle and bone strength and prevent other treatment side effects, says Scott Once you have clearance to exercise from your doctor, “Start low and go slow,” Winters-Stone says. ”Doing too much too fast increases the risk of injury and has no added benefit.” Begin by walking or doing other light- to moderate-intensity exercises for 10 to 15 minutes per day. Slowly increase the length and intensity of your workouts until you're able to do 30 to 45 minutes on most days of the week. An exercise physiologist can personalize an exercise program that's safe and effective for you based on your age, fitness level, and treatment stage, says Scott. Listen to your body during workouts. “Let your body guide you on what you're able to do, especially in the beginning as you get started on a program,” suggests Dr. Coletta. The Takeaway Exercise has many benefits during prostate cancer treatment, including reduced side effects like fatigue and muscle weakness, and improved quality of life and survival. Experts recommend a combination of aerobic, strength-training, and flexibility exercises for people with cancer. Start a new exercise program slowly after getting advice from your doctor and a physical therapist or exercise physiologist. Resources We Trust Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic Minute: Importance of Exercise for Men With Prostate CancerCleveland Clinic: How To Exercise Safely When You Have Advanced Prostate CancerZero Prostate Cancer: Exercise, Physical Activity and Prostate CancerProstate Cancer Foundation: What Kind of Exercise Is Good for Me?Johns Hopkins Medicine: Combat Prostate Cancer With Exercise