References
Richman, E. L., Kenfield, S. A., Stampfer, M. J., Paciorek, A., Carroll, P. R., & Chan, J. M. (2011). Physical activity after diagnosis and risk of prostate cancer progression: Data from the cancer of the prostate strategic urologic research endeavor. Cancer Research, 71(11), 3889–3895.
Could the way you walk make a difference to your prostate cancer?
A study suggests it might be. Researchers found that men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who walked briskly for at least 3 hours a week had a significantly lower chance of their cancer progressing.
And gentlemen, that’s briskly.
This study involved over 1,400 men with a median age in their early sixties. These men were not a select legion of marathon runners, they were ordinary men like most of you reading this article. Many of the participants simply added brisk walking to their routine. The pace made all the difference. Those who walked at a brisk speed for 3 or more hours each week had a staggering 57% lower rate of cancer progression compared to those who strolled leisurely for less than 3 hours.
Let’s put this into perspective: How many of you would spend a fortune to lower the chances of your prostate cancer growing by 57%? That’s a massive return for something as simple as walking faster.
Remarkably, even without engaging in other strenuous activities, brisk walking alone provided significant protection. Does this mean you can abandon the gym and other exercises to just walk fast? Absolutely not. On the contrary, alongside your resistance and cardio routines, I urge you to incorporate brisk walking into your daily life. Walk with purpose, almost as if you’re in a hurry. The added benefit? You’ll accomplish more in less time, all while fighting cancer.
The researchers considered factors like age, diet, and medical history, but the link between brisk walking and reduced prostate cancer progression stood out. About 24% of participants were lost to follow-up, though they did not differ significantly from those who remained in the study, suggesting that the results remain robust despite this dropout rate.
So, why does brisk walking make such a difference? It alters the body’s insulin levels, diminishes insulin resistance, and affects critical growth factors (lowering bioavailable IGF-1 and boosting adiponectin levels) which can hinder cancer cell growth. Additionally, brisk walking reduces inflammation, a key player in the progression of prostate cancer. These changes create an environment less favorable to cancer advancement, offering men a powerful tool in their fight against the disease, which (as with everything I recommend to my clients) gives them extra side-benefits, not side-effects!
Time to invest in some good athletic sneakers, lace up, and commute to your daily jobs and tasks on foot, and in a hurry! And if you’re already walking everywhere, just remember: the faster you walk, the more powerful the benefits.
Time to lace up!
If you’re ready to take control of your health and incorporate targeted exercise that doesn’t just improve your fitness but also supports your cancer treatments and reduces their side-effects, start working with me today. I create personalized exercise and nutrition programs that will fit into your schedule and empower you to win back your health. Don’t settle for generic advice. You deserve a plan that considers every aspect of your condition, from fighting cancer cells to minimizing the side effects of treatments. This is your opportunity to invest in yourself, your health, your energy, your future.
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