Exercise as a Prostate Cancer treatment

@denany
I implemented a modified cardiovascular exercise routine based on the results of the ERASE randomized clinic trial performed in 2021:(https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2783273)

ERASE conclusion: "The ERASE trial demonstrated that HIIT increased cardiorespiratory fitness levels and decreased PSA levels, PSA velocity, and prostate cancer cell growth in men with localized prostate cancer who were under active surveillance."

I was diagnosed with low volume 3+4 and Decipher of 0.22 in October 2023. I increased my running routine to three 5K's per week and added HIIT, at that time.

My most recent PSA level is 25% below my prebiopsy level and a follow-up mpMRI indicated that two of the three original PIRADS lesions were not visible and the largest had shrunk and its T2 & DWI/ADC signals reduced from “moderate” to “mild”.

So, yes, there is quantifiable evidence, based on a randomized clinic trial (the "gold standard" of medical research) that cardiovascular exercise does slow prostate cancer progression. I have experienced these same results 29 months after diagnosis and implementation of my cardiovascular exercise protocol.

I posted a lot more detail about my experience earlier in this thread.

@handera
Thought I'd post my latest cardiovascular exercise protocol and their results.

To provide context, 3 1/2 years ago (at 66 y/o) when I started, I could only slow jog 0.25 mile and had to stop due to exhaustion...

Yesterday, at 69 1/2 y/o, I ran my fastest 5K yet (8:09 min/mile).

I had not attempted a "fast" 5K for over a year, yet my endurance training allowed me to set a personal record.

My normal protocol is to run three 5K runs per week at a sustainable Zone 2 pace of ~10:00min/mile (70% - 75% of my max heart rate)...a very sustainable pace. I have maintained this kind of Zone 2 pace for as long as 15K.

After my typical Zone 2 5K run, I do two 0.25 mile runs at a 6:00-6:30 min/mile pace (my HIIT training)....no where near a classic Norwegian 4+4 HIIT trial...but IMHO that type of HIIT is not necessary to obtain ERASE RCT observed results.

I also do 3 sets of 10 push-ups prior to every 5K run (my "strength" exercise)...that's it!

I'm not a physician (a retired chemical engineer) and this is not medical advice. Consult with your doctor if you are not currently running or cycling before attempting anything like this.

I'm posting simply to encourage those who may be where I was in July 2022...unable to slow jog more than a quarter mile....and to show the possibilities of slow & steady endurance building cardiovascular exercise.

All the Best!

@handera, congratulations. It must feel so good to be able to run again, especially given where you were in July 2022. Your patience has paid off. Do you do any weight bearing exercises to help improve your running performance?

@colleenyoung

Thanks for your kind words!

I’ve never been much of an athlete, in fact before the age of 66 I had never run a 5K in my life!

Retiring at 66 y/o provided time to get more intentional about exercise.

15 months after retirement, I was diagnosed with low risk PCa and also about 30 lbs overweight.

That’s when my motivation to get consistent about running significantly increased.

My first goal was to lose those 30 lbs. That took both my exercise protocol and a strict diet regiment that lasted 4 months.

After those four months, I was able to ease up on the diet.

For the last 2 years I’ve maintained the same weight as when I was in my late 20’s.

Regarding weight bearing exercise for running, the only thing I do are 3 sets of 10 push ups, before every run. Never go to a gym or do other strengthening exercises…maybe I should???

Of course, our recent move to a house requiring a lot of remodeling has also helped keep me physically fit.

You’re exactly right about staying at it over the long haul. There are days I don’t necessarily look forward to running. It’s those days I tell myself that running is as important as “taking medication”…if I’m not consistent, I’ll begin the inevitable aging decline all the faster…not a good option.

Dr. Peter Attia’s book “Outlive” helped me understand the aging process and how that can also be slowed via consistent cardiovascular exercise!

Thanks again!

@handera
I started taking ADT when I was 70. I didn’t really start going to the gym until I was 76. I went because I found I could not get off the ground without pulling myself up on a chair or a fence. My muscles had deteriorated that much. After going to the gym for about four months, I was finally able to get up on my own.

Can you get off the floor on your own right now? I was always very active so that was one reason my muscles didn’t deteriorate too quickly, Maybe you’re in the same situation, But you really want to do some Weight training so you don’t find yourself on the floor and unable to get up on your own.

As you probably know, I run a mile twice a day every day, but that’s not enough. You’ve got to do that weight training with ADT or your muscles really deteriorate. I still go three days a week unless something really gets in the way, doesn’t happen often. It’s not that I like doing it because I don’t, but I have to do it.