Men’s Health Week 2024
Prostate cancer (PC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with more than 25,000 men newly diagnosed each year. In Australia about 18,000 men are newly diagnosed with PC each year (1). Fortunately, prostate cancer is slow-growing and if detected early enough you have an excellent chance of survival.
The Anatomy
Located just below the bladder, the prostate gland is a small organ that produces fluid that nourishes and transports seminal fluid. As men reach their late 40s and 50s and grow older, the body starts to change, including the reproductive system and the prostate gland. PC occurs when the cells in the prostate gland grow abnormally and form a tumour.
Signs & Symptoms
Prostate cancer can cause various symptoms within the body, such as difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or semen, pain in the lower back or pelvis, or bone pain just to name a few. However, some men do not present with any symptoms at all, especially in the early stages of the disease. The most common and noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer are changes and problems with urinating, the early signs can include:
• The urge to urinate more than usual during the day and night (note that waking once
a night can be normal for men as they get older)
Sudden or urgent need to urinate, which is difficult to stop
• Problems urinating such as:
• Straining or trouble starting a stream
• Not being able to urinate when the feeling is there
• Poor urine flow, which may stop and start
• Dribbling at the beginning or end
• Discomfort or pain when urinating
• Feeling like you can’t fully empty your bladder (the organ that collects and empties
urine)
• Men are encouraged to take notice of their urinary habits and to discuss
• changes with their GP as soon as possible. Early detection and diagnosis is lifesaving.
Most prostate cancers are slow growing, so if detected early enough you have an excellent chance of survival. Over 98% of men with early-stage prostate cancer will be alive 5 years after diagnosis.
Risk factors
Prostate cancer affects men of all races and backgrounds. Anyone with a prostate can get prostate cancer. This includes transgender women, male-assigned non-binary people or intersex people. There are many risk factors that can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, such as age, family history, ethnicity, diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposure. Some of these are unfortunately beyond our control, but others can be modified.
Ways to reduce risk for prostate cancer include:
• Eating a healthy diet that is low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables.
• Quitting smoking
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly, particularly cardiovascular focused exercise
Exercise and prostate cancer
Exercise is especially beneficial for men with PC. Exercise is important before, during and after prostate cancer treatment. It can not only improve your physical health and mental wellbeing but also reduces side effects, improves your recovery and helps you tolerate treatments better.
The many benefits of physical activity and exercise are:
• Help you maintain your independence and wellbeing
• Improve your physical function and abilities
• Help you sleep better
• Help with sexual function
• Help with and prevent tiredness and fatigue
• Make you feel more energised
• Lift your mood and help with anxiety and depression
• Maintain your muscle and bone health
• Improve your cardiovascular health
• Support your metabolism
• Improve your quality of life
• Help you maintain a healthy weight
• Prevent or reduce constipation (with a healthy diet rich in fibre and wholefoods)
• Help reduce the side effects of treatments, such as hormone
therapy and chemotherapy
• Help you tolerate prostate cancer treatments and improve your recovery
after surgery
• Slow the progression of your disease
Now, there is no one-size-fits-all exercise program for PC. The type, intensity, frequency, and duration are dependent on various factors, such as the stage of the disease, the type of treatment received, the presence of comorbidities (other underlying medical conditions), and the personal preference and goals of the individual. We advise consulting with your doctor and a certified exercise specialist (Exercise Physiologist) who can assess fitness levels and design an exercise plan to suit you.
In the meantime remember:
• Listen to your body. Shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain can occur during
or post-exercise and is a sign you are working too hard.
• Aim for at-least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week
(30mins/day). Walking, cycling, swimming, or jogging are just come
recommendations to achieve this. Pick something you really enjoy.
• Engage in supervised resistance exercises for strength building 2-3 times per week.
Free weights, machines, or resistance bands are all acceptable.
For more information on PC, visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia website. For a tailored exercise plan contact us to see a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.
