Can Regular Exercise Reduce the Side Effects of Hormone Suppression in Prostate Cancer?

A recently published study found that regular exercise was safe for patients with advanced prostate cancer receiving hormone suppression therapy and had positive effects on muscle strength, physical performance, body fat composition, the respiratory system and fatigue.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer and causes the most cancer deaths after lung cancer. Although treatment varies by stage, hormone (androgen) suppression therapy is frequently used in advanced prostate cancer.

Many studies have shown that hormone suppression slows tumor growth and progression and significantly prolongs survival. However, it also has side effects. The treatment suppresses male hormones (androgens), which contribute to prostate cancer development and progression. These hormones also play important roles in men's health, including muscle development, fat balance, bone mineralization, blood cell production, sexual function and reproduction. Hormone suppression can therefore cause side effects such as increased risks of fractures, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, anemia, heart disease and certain metabolic diseases, as well as fatigue and sexual dysfunction.

Preventing or minimizing these side effects is therefore very important for quality of life during treatment. Exercise is a potential strategy for reducing them. In healthy older adults, exercise reduces the risks of problems such as osteoporosis, fractures, heart disease, diabetes and obesity, while providing substantial benefits for muscle strength, fat balance and psychological health.

A recently published study therefore assessed whether certain exercises could reduce treatment-related side effects in patients receiving hormone suppression. The research included data from 14 separate studies, using a systematic review to evaluate, analyze and compile the available findings. These studies assessed patients receiving hormone suppression according to whether they exercised regularly. Regular exercise was found to be safe and to have positive effects on muscle strength, physical performance, body fat composition, the respiratory system and fatigue.

In conclusion, hormone suppression is indispensable in advanced prostate cancer because of its contribution to survival. However, minimizing possible side effects during treatment is also crucial for quality of life. According to this study, exercise provides substantial benefits in this respect, and various exercise programs would be a useful approach for patients with advanced prostate cancer.