2023-09-16 18:08:23
A new study suggests that supervised exercise interventions can significantly benefit prostate cancer patients experiencing sexual dysfunction, a common side effect of treatment. Exercise not only improved sexual health outcomes, but also showed benefits in physical strength and overall well-being.
The therapy can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life due to side effects, including sexual dysfunction. However, a recent long-term clinical trial has unveiled a treatment to combat this aspect of fighting the disease.
Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers worldwide, posing not only a significant threat to the lives of those diagnosed, but also a potential decrease in their quality of life due to treatment-related side effects.
A notable side effect is sexual dysfunction. However, recent results from a long-term clinical trial led by Edith Cowan University (ECU) and presented at the groundbreaking American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Japan have revealed that there is a therapy that might help combat this aspect of the fight once morest disease:
Exercise.
Director and study leader of ECU’s Exercise Medicine Research Institute (EMRI), Professor Daniel Galvao, said almost half of prostate cancer patients report having unmet needs for sexual health care.
“Sexual dysfunction is a common, distressing and persistent side effect of prostate cancer treatment, with both physical and psychological effects,” Professor Galvao said.
“Our study shows that these patients can immediately benefit from supervised exercise interventions to improve their sexual health. »
This comes following previous studies from EMRI showed that exercise can help produce anti-cancer proteins called myokines, which work to suppress tumor growth, even in patients with advanced prostate cancer. and terminal.
“This is just the latest evidence that exercise should be considered an integral part of prostate cancer treatment,” Professor Galvao said.
Hit the gym workout
Lasting four years, the study divided more than 100 prostate cancer patients into three groups.
One group undertook supervised resistance and aerobic exercise, while another followed the same exercise program but also underwent psychosexual therapy.
The third group received standard treatment without any exercise or therapy component.
Psychosexual therapy led to no improvement in erectile function or sexual satisfaction – however, patients who exercised reported great improvement in both.
Those who exercised saw their erectile function increase by 5.1 points, compared to 1.0 points for the usual care group, while sexual satisfaction increased by 2.2 points with exercise and by 0.2 points with usual care.
Exercise also prevented an increase in fat mass and improved physical functional outcomes, as well as upper and lower body muscle strength, compared to usual care.
Professor Galvao said further research was needed to study the impact of exercise on the sexual health of prostate cancer patients as well as other symptoms and side effects of the disease and its treatment.
This study shows that exercise can have a positive effect on erectile dysfunction as a side effect of treatment, which is a major concern reported by men,” he said.
“In a broader sense, we also know that autonomy, physical strength and well-being are important for men’s health and in the context of an aging patient group prone to chronic comorbid diseases; an exercise program speaks directly to strength and well-being.
It’s time to move
Anne Savage, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, said the organization hoped to see the results quickly put into practice.
“This research is a call to action for men and their partners affected by prostate cancer and adds weight to the recommendation that exercise should be routinely prescribed to men affected by the disease,” he said. -she declared.
“Loss of erectile function is a major stress for many thousands of Australian men treated for prostate cancer each year. This study proves the power of exercise to help restore sexual function while improving overall health, building on previous research that has shown that exercise can also help reduce the risk of recurrence in men suffering from prostate cancer.
Cancer Council WA has awarded almost $1.8 million to Professor Galvao’s team since 2007 – grants made possible through the generosity of the WA community.
Melissa Ledger, director of cancer prevention and research, said it was exciting to see the research recognized internationally.
“Cancer Council WA is committed to achieving the best outcomes for cancer patients and their families. It is therefore important for us to support research such as that of Professor Galvao, which has the potential to improve and save lives,” Ms Ledger said.
“We are delighted to learn that our early support has laid the foundation for new research projects – and the results speak for themselves.
1694913362
#Scientists #discover #simple #combat #common #devastating #side #effects #prostate #cancer #treatment
