Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men.
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Exercise in Prostate Cancer
Exercise can minimise and be beneficial for treatment related side effects such as fatigue, muscle loss, and reduced bone density.
Exercise also plays an important role in preventing prostate cancer recurrence
Treatment for prostate cancer can include any or all of the following:
- Watchful waiting
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy/brachytherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) e.g. Zolodex
Aim for 3x 30 minutes of exercise per week, building to 150 minutes per week
Exercise Recommendations
- Aerobic and resistance based exercise at moderate intensity is safe
- Resistance exercise should target main muscle groups to combat low muscle mass
- Incorporate pelvic floor retraining
- Consider impact training to improve bone density if patients are on ADT
- You may consider high intensity interval training, particularly in patients who are under surveillance
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training
- Risk of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy, particularly with actions such as cough, laugh and transfers
- Assess leakage by weighing pads for 3 days, every 24 hours (pad weight record)
- Pelvic floor muscle training as prehabilitation and rehabilitation can minimise leakage
- Contract the muscle by shortening your penis and lifting your scrotum – or simply think “stop the flow”
- Use these muscles at times where you are at risk of leaking – e.g. when standing from a chair
- Video from the Continence Foundation of Australia of how to use the pelvic floor muscles and why they’re important