Long-term research has given some clues to why men who exercise more have a better outlook for prostate cancer. The Health Professionals Follow-Up Study began in 1986 with more than 50,000 men in the health professions. The dentists, podiatrists, veterinarians and other health professionals answer extensive questionnaires about their diets and lifestyle every few years.
In the course of the study, 572 of the volunteers have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Microscopic examination of the tumors showed that men who reported walking at a brisk pace, around 4 miles an hour, prior to diagnosis had rounder blood vessels in the tumors than men who used to plod along at 2 miles an hour. Previous research has shown that round blood vessels are associated with a better prognosis for prostate cancer.
It’s too early to assume that the effect of exercise on blood vessels is the reason that exercise also improves the outcomes from other cancers, but it is an intriguing hypothesis.
[AACR-Prostate Cancer Foundation Conference, San Diego, CA, Jan. 19, 2014]
We discussed new concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer on our radio show in 2013. To learn more, listen to our one-hour interview with the experts.
