The researchers found that men with the highest levels of exercise prior to their diagnosis had a 30 percent reduction in death due to prostate cancer, compared to men who exercised the least. Furthermore, the amount of exercise was found to be directly proportional to the scope of benefits received. The researchers also found that even after diagnosis, men with the greatest exercise levels had a 34 percent reduction in death, compared to those with little to no exercise.
Lead researcher Ying Wang explained, “Our results support evidence that prostate cancer survivors should adhere to physical activity guidelines, and suggest that physicians should consider promoting a physically active lifestyle to their prostate cancer patients.”
The researchers also looked at walking as the only form of exercise. They found that walking for four to six hours a week prior to diagnosis was associated with a reduction in death by one-third, but walking after diagnosis did not show any reduction in death rates.
Wang added, “The American Cancer Society recommends adults engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. These results indicate that following these guidelines might be associated with better prognosis.”
Wang concluded that additional research is required to determine whether these results vary between patients based on age at diagnosis, smoking, and body weight.