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Published on: March 6, 2018
Physical Activity and Survival After Prostate Cancer
Christine M Friedenreich1, Qinggang Wang2, Heather K Neilson2
1Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Background:
Despite the high global prevalence of prostate cancer (PCa), few epidemiologic studies have assessed physical activity in relation to PCa survival.
Objective:
To evaluate different types, intensities, and timing of physical activity relative to PCa survival.
Design, Setting, And Participants:
A prospective study was conducted in Alberta, Canada, in a cohort of 830 stage II-IV incident PCa cases diagnosed between 1997 and 2000 with follow-up to 2014 (up to 17 yr). Prediagnosis lifetime activity was self-reported at diagnosis. Postdiagnosis activity was self-reported up to three times during follow-up.
Outcome Measurements And Statistical Analysis:
Cox proportional hazards models related physical activity to all-cause and PCa-specific deaths and to first recurrence/progression of PCa.
Results And Limitations:
A total of 458 deaths, 170 PCa-specific deaths, and, after first follow-up, 239 first recurrences/progressions occurred. Postdiagnosis total activity (>119 vs ≤42 metabolic equivalent [MET]-hours/week per year) was associated with a significantly lower all-cause mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42-0.79; p value for trend <0.01). Postdiagnosis recreational activity (>26 vs ≤4 MET-hours/week per year) was associated with a significantly lower PCa-specific mortality risk (HR: 0.56; 95% CI, 0.35-0.90; p value for trend = 0.01). Sustained recreational activity before and after diagnosis (>18-20 vs <7-8 MET-hours/week per year) was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.88). Limitations included generalisability to healthier cases and an observational study design.
Conclusions:
These findings support emerging recommendations to increase physical activity after the diagnosis of PCa and would inform a future exercise intervention trial examining PCa outcomes.
Patient Summary:
In a 17-yr prostate cancer (PCa) survival study, men who survived at least 2 yr who were more physically active postdiagnosis or performed more recreational physical activity before and after diagnosis survived longer. Recreational physical activity after diagnosis was associated with a lower risk of PCa death.
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