Holistic Health Show

A study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference from December 6 to 9 by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health reported that men with prostate cancer
who do physical activity as little as 15 minutes a day can reduce their overall mortality rates. They looked at both overall survival of men with prostate cancer and death rates specific to prostate cancer. They concluded that a moderate amount of regular exercise may improved overall survival and 5 or more hours a week of vigorous exercise may reduce the risk of death from prostate cancer.
Physical activity of 2,686 men enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study before and after a diagnoses of prostrate cancer (men with metastases when diagnosed were excluded) was assessed. Men who participated in biking, swimming, jogging, or playing tennis about a half hour weekly had a 35% lower risk of overall mortality. Men who walked 4 or more hours weekly had a 23% lower risk of all-causes of mortality compared to men who walked less than 20 minutes a week. However, walking did not show an effect on specific prostate cancer mortality but strenuous exercise did and men who participated in 5 or more hours of vigorous physical activity weekly had a decreased risk of dying from prostate cancer.
Although the specific mechanisms of exercise on prostate cancer are unknown, the researchers said exercise is known to influence a number of hormones hypothesized to stimulate prostate cancer, improve immune functioning, and reduce inflammation. The interaction of these factors is still being. studied and more research is forthcoming.

Tags: exercise, prostate cancer. research

This entry was posted on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 9:00 am and is filed under Cancer, exercise, prostate cancer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.