Physical Activity and Survival After Cancer Diagnosis in Men

Abstract

Background The number of cancer survivors is increasing rapidly; however, little is known about whether engaging in physical activity after a cancer diagnosis is associated with lower mortality rates in men. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of 1,021 men (mean age, 71.3 years) who were diagnosed with cancer (other than non-melanoma skin cancer). Men reported their physical activities (walking, stair climbing, and participation in sports and recreational activities) on questionnaires in 1988, a median of 6 years after their cancer diagnosis. Physical activity was updated in 1993 and men were followed until 2008, with mortality follow-up >99% complete, during which 777 men died (337 from cancer, 190 from cardiovascular disease). Results In multivariate analyses, the relative risks for all-cause mortality associated with expending <2100, 2100–4199, 4200–8399, 8400–12,599, and ≥12,600 kJ/week in physical activity were 1.00 (referent), 0.77, 0.74, 0.76, and 0.52, respectively; p, trend <0.0001. Higher levels of physical activity also were associated with lower rates of death from cancer and cardiovascular disease; p, trend = 0.01 and 0.002, respectively. Conclusions Engaging in physical activity after cancer diagnosis is associated with better survival among men.

Physical Activity and Survival among Men Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

“…Among male cancer survivors, higher levels of physical activity have also been associated to both all-cause and cancerspecific mortality (7). Although increased physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer in a recent meta-analysis (8), very little is known about the association between post-diagnosis physical activity and survival among patients with prostate cancer.…”

Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Status Among Older Adult Cancer Survivors: Does Intensity of Activity Play a Role?

“…For example, Milne, Gordon, Guilfoyle, Wallman, and Courneya (2007) examined how urban or rural contexts affect quality of life for survivors; regardless of setting, they found that physical activity was correlated with improved quality of life. Although engaging in more physical activity is associated with greater reductions in mortality rates, even the recommended amount of weekly physical activity has been linked to significantly lower mortality rates (Lee et al, 2014). Rabin, Pinto, Trunzo, Frierson, and Bucknam (2006) found that previously sedentary survivors who participated in a 12-week physical activity intervention showed similar improvement in physical functioning as those who independently undertook regular exercise.…”

Physical exercise in locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: “If I walk, I live. Although one can die of cancer, now I am living”

“…In this case, it also seems that the amplitude of physical activity reduced the risk of both cancer-related mortality and cardiovascular disease [11] . However, this was not found in PDAC [12] .…”

“…Regarding physical activity, which could modify the depressive state, there are no conclusive data on the real impact on the immune system. Finally, although there is experience that correlates the amplitude of physical activity with the reduction of the risk of cancer-related and cardiovascular mortality [11] , this has not been reported on PDAC [12] .…”