Can I exercise during prostate cancer treatment

Exercise During Prostate Cancer Treatment

Yes, you can and should exercise during prostate cancer treatment. In fact, emerging research shows that exercise may be one of the most important things you can do for your health during this time.

Why Exercise Matters During Treatment

According to recent clinical research, exercise during cancer treatment can:

Prevent fitness decline: Without exercise, patients typically lose 5-20% of their fitness within just three months of treatment. Regular activity helps maintain your strength and cardiovascular health.

Reduce treatment side effects: Exercise can help manage fatigue, one of the most common side effects of radiation therapy and other treatments.

Support your immune system: Physical activity enhances immune surveillance—your body's ability to detect and control cancer cells.

Potentially improve treatment response: Emerging evidence suggests exercise may improve how well your body responds to certain cancer therapies.

Counteract accelerated aging: Cancer treatment can make you feel like you've aged 10 years in just a few months. Exercise helps slow this process.

What the Research Shows for Prostate Cancer

According to NCCN Guidelines, supportive care—which includes exercise—is important at any stage of cancer treatment, not just at the end of life.

Recent clinical trials have found particularly promising results for prostate cancer patients. In one phase 1 trial with men scheduled for prostate cancer surgery, researchers tested different exercise doses ranging from 90 to 450 minutes per week. They found that 225 minutes of exercise per week showed the best balance of feasibility and biological activity in reducing cancer cell markers.

General Exercise Recommendations

During active treatment, aim for:

• Up to 90 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (like brisk walking)
• Resistance training twice weekly (weight training or strength exercises)
• Any movement is beneficial—even small amounts of activity help; the biggest benefit comes from going from doing nothing to doing something

After treatment, increase to:

• 115 minutes per week of aerobic exercise for general wellness and reducing recurrence risk

Important Personalization

According to exercise oncology experts, your exercise plan should be tailored to YOUR specific situation, including:

• Your current treatment stage
• Your fitness level before diagnosis
• Your energy level and fatigue
• Your specific health goals (maintaining muscle, managing fatigue, etc.)
• Any other health conditions you have

If you're experiencing muscle loss (common with hormone therapy), consider intensive resistance training 2-3 times per week with adequate protein intake (about 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight daily).

Important Cautions

• Avoid extreme amounts of exercise—excessive exercise can negatively affect your immune system
• Start slowly and progress gradually—if you're struggling to find time or energy during treatment, do whatever minimal movement is possible, then increase as your energy improves
• Listen to your body—some days you'll feel better than others, and that's normal

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team

1. Am I physically able to exercise given my current treatment plan?
2. What type and intensity of exercise would be best for my specific situation?
3. Should I work with an exercise physiologist or certified cancer exercise specialist?
4. How should I modify my exercise if I experience side effects like fatigue or pain?
5. Are there any exercises I should avoid based on my treatment?

Getting Professional Support

Consider consulting with a qualified exercise physiologist or oncology-trained fitness professional who can create a personalized program based on your specific cancer type, treatment, and health status. They can help you find the right "dose" of exercise for your goals.

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions about exercise during your specific cancer treatment.

Sources: NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Early-Stage Prostate Cancer (Supportive Care); Cancer Patient Lab Webinars on Exercise and Cancer (Lee Jones, PhD; Rob Newton, PhD; Kathryn Schmitz, PhD)