Factors That May Facilitate Physical Activity In Prostate Cancer Survivors

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed male cancer in developed countries. Early detection, advancements in treatment options, and the use of multimodal treatments has resulted in increased survivorship. Physical activity (PA) is a modifiable behavior that can help improve both the physical and psychological health and well-being of PCa survivors. However, the majority of PCa survivors are not engaging in sufficient activity to achieve health-related gain. PURPOSE: To identify factors that may facilitate PA in PCa survivors. METHODS: Sixteen PCa survivors from Auckland, New Zealand took part in present study. Participants ranged in age from 57 to 88 years of age (71.3 ± 7.4 years). At recruitment, time since diagnosis ranged from 1 to 17 years (6.5 ± 5.6 years). Ten participants were in remission and were treatment free. Six participants were receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for their PCa. Time on ADT ranged between 1 and 17 years (5.3 ± 5.8 years). Participants were individually interviewed. An inductive thematic approach was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Five main factors were identified as possible facilitators to PA: (1) The use of medication to counteract cancer-related fatigue, (2) more time, (3) location of PA venues, (4) cost, and (5) social factors. CONCLUSION: Only one of the five potential facilitators to PA (the use of medication) was directly related to having PCa. Regular PA is important in PCa survivorship (for both men undertaking PCa-treatments and for those in remission), as PA can slow the progression of PCa, lower the risk of PCa mortality and recurrence. Regular PA can also help counteract PCa treatment-related side effects, as well cancer-related fatigue. These findings can be added to the PCa PA literature to help support PCa survivors become more physically active. Supported by Cancer Society of New Zealand through a Prostate Cancer Young Investigator Scholarship. Supported by Cancer Society of New Zealand through a Prostate Cancer Young Investigator Scholarship