Contrary to popular belief, the benefit of physical activity for prostate cancer is not limited to initial prevention: it plays a documented role at each stage, including in men already treated.
1. A protective effect before diagnosis
Several epidemiological studies suggest that regular and sufficiently intense physical activity, practiced over the long term, is associated with a reduction in the risk of developing prostate cancer. The effect seems most marked for vigorous and regular practice, more than for light and occasional activity - a point which distinguishes this cancer from other locations where even moderate activity is enough to observe a benefit.
2. A major benefit after diagnosis: up to 38% reduction in mortality
This is undoubtedly the most striking data from this article: research shows that physical activity practiced after a diagnosis of prostate cancer reduces overall mortality by around 38%. This benefit was observed regardless of the stage of the disease, and even when physical activity was only started after diagnosis — so it's never too late to start.
| Moment | Observed effect | Intensity level associated with the benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Before diagnosis (prevention) | Reducing the risk of developing disease | Vigorous and regular activity |
| During treatments | Reduction of fatigue by approximately 36%, better tolerance of treatments | Adapted activity, supervised if necessary |
| After the diagnosis (all stages) | Reduced overall mortality by approximately 38% | ≈ 9 MET-hours per week (equivalent to 3 hours of brisk walking) |
3. Concrete benefits on the side effects of treatments
A study of 440 men treated with radiotherapy showed that those who engaged in regular physical activity had fewer rectal problems, less erectile dysfunction and fewer urinary problems than inactive men — even though 71% of the patients in this study did not engage in any regular muscular activity before the procedure.
Muscle strengthening is of particular interest in men undergoing hormone therapy, a treatment that causes a significant loss of muscle mass: resistance exercise helps preserve physical strength and autonomy during treatment.
4. How much and how to move, concretely?
The benchmarks from the research are based on a unit called MET-hour, which combines intensity and duration of activity. The threshold associated with survival benefits is around 9 MET-hours per week — an achievable goal, for example, with 3 hours of brisk walking, or the equivalent of cycling, swimming or similar activities spread over the week.
- ●Brisk walking, cycling, swimming: endurance activities accessible to the majority of men, including during treatments, to be adapted according to the fatigue felt.
- ●Light muscle strengthening: particularly useful in the case of hormone therapy, to limit muscle wasting.
- ●Adapted physical activity (APA) programs: supervised by professionals trained in oncology, they allow a gradual and safe recovery, including during treatments.
⚠️ Medical takeaway
It is never too late to start physical activity after a diagnosis of prostate cancer: the survival benefit has been observed even in men who start after diagnosis.
In the event of ongoing treatment (recent surgery, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy), ask your healthcare team what type of activity is appropriate for your situation before to return to intensive practice.
Adapted physical activity (APA) programs, often offered by oncology networks, allow secure supervision, including in the event of significant fatigue or side effects of treatments.
Tips to remember:
- ●Physical activity practiced after a diagnosis of prostate cancer reduces overall mortality by approximately 38%, regardless of the stage of the disease.
- ●It's never too late to start: this benefit has been observed even in men who start physical activity only after their diagnosis.
- ●Active men during their radiotherapy report fewer urinary and rectal problems and erectile dysfunction than inactive men, according to a study of 440 patients.
- ●Muscle strengthening is particularly useful in the case of hormone therapy, a treatment which causes a significant loss of muscle mass.
- ●The reference objective is around 9 MET-hours per week, or the equivalent of 3 hours of brisk walking: an achievable objective for most men, to be adjusted with the Iris Prévention health check.
