Physical activity and prostate cancer: a systematic review

Abstract

Numerous studies confirmed that planned exercise therapy is a possible adjunct strategy connected with significant improvements in symptom-related results including exercise tolerance as well as several cancer patients-reported progress such as improvement in quality of life, and physical functioning during conventional adjuvant therapy. The aim of this review was to evaluate the association between physical activity and prostate cancer. Apart from lung cancer, prostate cancer is highly prevalent among men. We searched for original articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that reported on exercise-mediated changes in the prostatic tumour risk and progression from 1980 to 2018. The following electronic databases was used: PubMed, Science Direct, Medline, Sports Discus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Cochrane database. 85 studies written in English were included in this review. Patient’s cardio-metabolic profile, type of exercise, specific workloads, frequency, duration, intensity and safety precautions are factors to consider when scheduling an exercise program. Regular participation in physical activity is important in the prevention of prostate cancer and it is associated with positive treatment outcomes in patients undergoing Androgen deprivation therapy. Physical Activity may affect prostate cancer progression by reducing insulin resistance, decreasing bioavailable Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGFI), increasing adiponectin levels and circulating levels of insulin. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of prostate cancer cells in vitro. Physical activity is associated with lower circulating IL-6. Based on the information examined in this study, physical activity may be an effective nonpharmacological means in the treatment of prostate cancer.