Regular Exercise May Help Treat Prostate Cancer

January 20 2014

Regular Exercise May Help Treat Prostate Cancer

According to a recent study performed by researchers at the University of California, regular exercise may improve the prognosis of individuals suffering from prostate cancer. This study should serve as a real eye-opener to men of all ages and background.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that roughly 25,000-30,000 men die each year from prostate cancer. It’s the single most common form of cancer among men, and the number of new cases isn’t declining. However, this recent University of California study sheds some light on the possible benefits of exercising. It’s important to note that exercising isn’t going to magically cure cancer — or any other disease — but it might offer some major health benefits to get your body back on track.

Researchers closely monitored 572 prostate cancer patients, paying attention to their exercise habits and nutrition. They found that patients whom walked at a “face pace” experienced tumors with larger and more prominent blood vessels. How exactly does this benefit the patient? Well, tumors with large blood vessels are easier to treat, essentially increasing the chance of a positive outcome for the patient.

The University’s research regarding exercise and prostate cancer were presented at the annual American Association for Cancer Research - AACR meeting.

Assistant professor at the University of California, Van Blarigan, stated the following:

“Our findings suggest a possible mechanism by which exercise may improve outcomes in men with prostate cancer. Although data from randomized, controlled trials are needed before we can conclude that exercise causes a change in vessel regularity or clinical outcomes in men with prostate cancer, our study supports the growing evidence of the benefits of exercise, such as brisk walking, for men with prostate cancer.”

It’s important to note that patients a brisk-to-fast walking pace experienced the greatest benefit in terms of their prostate cancer. Patients whom walked slow, or didn’t walk at all, experienced minimal change in their prostate cancer.

What should you take away from this study? The bottom line is that everyone should exercise on a regular basis. There are dozens of mental and physical benefits of regular exercise, only one of which is the positive effect it has on prostate cancer. You don’t need an expensive gym membership to lace up a pair of sneakers and go for a mid-day jog around your neighborhood.

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