Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE)

Effects of exercise on prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the number one cancer in men and is marked by an uncontrolled growth of cells. The prostate is the walnut sized gland in men, located below the bladder and in front of the rectum, surrounding the urethra. Some risk factors that can lead up to cancer cause would be 65 or older in age, race such as African American, Jamaican, and African, genetics but only in five to ten percent, and diet high in animal fats. Treatments for prostate cancer include surgery, radiation, medical “watchful waiting”, and hormonal therapy. Survival at five years is one hundred percent if localized. The purpose of this literature review is to show how exercise can be beneficial to prostate cancer treatments. Aerobic and resistance training are two types of exercise that can be beneficial to prostate cancer. Exercise helps improve heart health, bone density, obesity, and reduce side effects. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week. Aerobic training is beneficial because it helps expend calories to manage weight. Muscles that surround or have common relationship with the prostate gland can become weakened due to surgery, radiation, or other treatments. Therefore, resistance training can help increase muscle mass, bone density, and decrease body fat. Exercise during treatment is safe for prostate cancer patients to increase their physical function. Prostate cancer patients should be notified about existing programs and they should be encouraged to actively participate in regular structured exercise as part of supportive care during treatments.