You may have always known regular physical activity is good for you, but did you know how good? Exercise can improve your mood, give you more energy and help you live longer.
Being physically active can also help combat certain health conditions and diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure, back pain, and according to a recent study, prostate cancer.
At Affiliated Urologists, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive urological care to patients across the Valley. For the patients with poor prostate health or prostate cancer, consider participating in a physical activity to improve your prostate cancer survival and health.
In February 2012, researchers discovered vigorous physical activity could offer protection against prostate cancer progression. “Vigorous” activity was defined as aerobic exercise (i.e. jogging, cycling, tennis or swimming) that occurred three or more hours per week. Of the 2705 men who participated in the study, 49 percent had a lower risk of all-cause mortality. Another study indicated men who walked briskly (>3mph) compared to an easy walking pace (>2mph) had a 48 percent lower risk of prostate progression.
Fast-forward to December 2014, a follow-up study published in the medical journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarker & Prevention confirmed physical activity following a prostate cancer diagnosis had positive effects on a patient’s prostate cancer survival. The results from the study can be seen below:
Activity After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Prostate Cancer Mortality
Walking/cycling for/more than 20-min/day 39% lower risk
Exercising 1 or more hours a week 32% lower risk
Total MET of 5 or more hours a day 22% lower risk
*MET = metabolic equivalent level / represents the ratio between energy expenditure from a specific activity and basal metabolism.
If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may want to consider physical activity as a way to improve survival. Choose an exercise or activity that is enjoyable, and remember that some level of physical activity is far better than none. Take a few minutes out of your day to go on a brisk walk or ride a bike. If you’re interested in started an exercise regimen, call us to set up an appointment. We can work with you to determine activities that are safe, but still effective!
Affiliated Urologists is an award-winning practice recognized both locally and nationally that has provided service to patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surrounding communities in the Valley, for over 40 years. The physicians emphasize top-of-the-line comprehensive urological care and strive to deliver the highest outcomes for patient satisfaction. To make an appointment, call 602-264-0608 or visit http://affiliatedurologists.com/contact/ for instructions on scheduling an appointment.
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
