It is well-known, prostate cancer can cause its share of problems and highly affect the quality of life of the survivors.

However, a recent study suggests that simply walking daily helps to reduce cancer’s and its treatment’s negative impacts.

Major Effects

After a treatment against prostate cancer, survivors often face various health issues. Urinary and bowel troubles, as well as erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems are common. Weight gain, fatigue, and depression are also widespread among survivors.

Moreover, in a study led by Siobhan Phillips and her team from Northwestern University in Chicago with more than 51,000 early stage prostate cancer survivors, these various problems were mentioned by many respondents.

Since this recent survey was about the survivors’ quality of life, they also had to indicate their average weekly time spent for physical activities, whether it was walking, jogging, running, biking, swimming, or practicing any other sport.

The Benefits of Walking

Thanks to this study, Phillips and her team could establish a relationship between the health level of prostate cancer survivors and the physical activities practiced. Thus, walking three hours a week, which is about 25 minutes a day, or even 90 minutes of brisk walking, allows to improve considerably the quality of life.

Indeed, walking contributes to reduce fatigue and depression besides regulating weight. Plus, physical activity before and after a prostate cancer treatment eases the survivor’s recovery, reduces the risks of complications, and extends the long-term survival. It also seems like the sexual function comes back more quickly thanks to exercising, even when practiced moderately.

According to Phillips, it is therefore good news, since many survivors have difficulties to practice regularly a dynamic activity. In this way, “simply focusing on walking more may be enough to make them feel better”.

Source PCF