Exercise Oncology...what say you?

Yes, I'm with you. I prefer exercise integrated into my daily life as much as possible (walking to the grocery store, taking my grandpuppy out, mowing the lawn with a pushmower, clearing snow, etc) over exercise that's a separate thing you put on funny clothes for. Some people are gym rats and love that stuff, but I stick with it better when when it's organic.

The good news: Yesterday, 3 weeks after HDR Brachy and a month after starting Xtandi (plus another Eligard injection), I worked up to about 90% of my weightlifting routine. That is, about 90% of what I was lifting a month ago.

The bad news: I took 3 naps yesterday, and was in bed by 8:30 p.m.

Apparently I also took two morning showers, because I had forgotten that I already took one.

I'm more-or-less OK until 11 a.m., then it's Drowsyville.

But I'm going to keep moving.

I exercise daily for other medical conditions as I have a blood cancer as well as diagnosed with intermediate prostate cancer 3 years ago… I have not treated the prostate cancer yet as I am already taking chemo pills daily for the blood issue…
I bike a short distance but vigorous ride daily in the morning and swim laps ~2000 yards at a health club as well.., I know this helps my blood issue, but will find out soon if my prostate cancer has progressed… Will be getting a PSMA Pet scan in August… I will have to be very careful if/when choosing any treatment for PCa..
In my case, exercise makes me feel really good despite my medical conditions…

Like others, have seen and read literature on exercise and PCa.

First thought, does exercise play a role in "preventing" or "reducing" one's chance of joining this club? Study of one, no, I have been active all my life, played multiple sports in high schools, 22 years in the Army so ran, lifted weights, played basketball, played gold (I walked, no cart) swam, went skiing, hiked in the mountains... After I retired, what changed, nothing. Last year my gym reported out I had visited 270 times, each visit was 45-60 minutes on the indoor bike, weights and 1000 meters swimming. For the 5th year in a row, I rode in the Garmin Unbound, a 50+ gravel bike ride in the Flint Hills of Kansas near Emporia.

And yet, there I was 23 January 2014, my urologist reviewing the TRUS biopsy report with me.

2nd thought, can exercise mitigate the side effects of PCa treatment, study of one, yes, to a degree. I am not sure it made a darn bit of difference in hot flashes, genitalia shrinkage...Perhaps I would have gained more weight when no T sunk my metabolism!!

What I think is exercise plays a role in one's CV health, bone health and a host of other systems which all of us can benefit from. I have read through literature which talks about the role exercise plays in our immune system systems (like liture on its role in testosterone) and that may be a factor as a stronger immune system may better fight off PCa in its weakened state brought on by treatments.

Again, study of one, but high risk, GS 8, GG 4, 18 months to BCR, rapid PSADT and PSAV...yet, 11+ years, here I am, three of those 11 on treatment, the other eight plus off. As I type, 15 months since my last treatment.

Kevin

My comment to yours was really “tongue-in-cheek”…I know we basically agree 👍

I also approach new information with a healthy level of skepticism…. probably because I spent the majority of my 45 year chemical engineering career doing research and development.

I’ve seen, first hand, how “science” can be manipulated for a whole host of reasons…scientists have biases (usually a product of their presuppositions), don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise 🤔

I am, by no means, advocating that “exercise oncology” is the absolute “end all and be all” regarding PCa treatment.

That said, in my review of scores of medical research studies and probably hundreds of video presentations, regarding the many aspects of vigorous exercise, I am convinced there is much more solid science to the implementation of this “exercise treatment”, as it relates to slowing the progression of prostate cancer (with little downside), as compared to anything one cares to put in their mouth and swallow…just my studied opinion.

Obviously RCT’s are preferred reading; but when it comes to observational studies, the evidence is legion…literally hundreds of studies show evidence of benefit.

Rather than boring folks with a detailed list, I’ll refer to a recent February 2024 review that narrowed the list to the best studies….for those so inclined to read such information.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10854832/
All the best!

Xtandi (Enzalutamide) causes severe fatigue problems for some people. Switching to Nubeqa (Darolutamide) Eliminates that problem For most people, And it works just as well. It also doesn’t pass the blood brain barrier so it has no effect on your memory.

I may take a 20 minute nap in the afternoon every few days But I stay up till midnight and get up right around 6:30 AM. I use a timer so my naps don’t go over 25 minutes and it usually really refreshes me. I am on Orgovyx and Nubeqa, and at 77 I don’t have much fatigue.

Talk to your doctor, see what he/she thinks after presenting your information.

Thanks for posting this study… So there is no definitive conclusion, but I’ll certainly continue to exercise as long as I can anyway..