While there is no definitive answer as to whether exercise can help prevent prostate cancer, studies indicate that exercise can alleviate prostate problems and symptoms. The National Cancer Institute notes 36 studies that have looked into the relationship between physical activity and prostate cancer, and there is no proven connection between the amount of exercise you get and your chances of developing prostate cancer. But if you have an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer, exercise seems to alleviate the symptoms and help keep the cancer from becoming aggressive.
Theory
The Prostate Cancer Foundation believes that exercise may increase you natural levels of inflammation and thereby "eliminate inflammatory molecules that drive cancer." Such exercises as walking, running, cycling and swimming, along with cutting down on sugar and eating a healthy diet, may help slow the growth of prostate cancer.
Clinical Trials
A study cited in 1999 by the Running and FitNews website found that men who exercise had a 25-percent less chance of suffering from prostate problems than sedentary men. A more recent study cited by the National Cancer Institute in 2009 indicates that regular and vigorous exercise can slow the progression of prostate cancer in men over 65.
Another study, conducted at Duke University and published in the "Journal of Urology" in 2009, found that a moderate amount of regular exercise may contribute to a lower risk of prostate cancer and aggressive tumors. Any amount of exercise appeared to lower the risk of prostate cancer among the 190 men who underwent biopsies in the study, and the more the men exercised, the lower their risk of prostate cancer became.
Cause and Effect
Despite the indications from clinical trials that exercise can help prevent prostate cancer and alleviate prostate problems, such as a frequent need to urinate and difficulty urinating, researchers are cautious about definitively linking exercise to better prostate health. Lead author of the Duke study, urology resident Dr. Jodi Antonelli, says "It is impossible to state that exercise alone was responsible for the benefits we observed, because participants who exercised might also have engaged in other behaviors linked to better health, like adhering to a good diet."
Despite the absence of absolute proof, MayoClinic.com recommends some form of daily exercise for 30 minutes or more, combined with a healthy diet, to improve your chances of preventing prostate cancer and decrease your risk of dying from the disease if you do develop it.
Considerations
Regular exercise may or may not improve your prostate health or help prevent prostate cancer. But it can't hurt and it may very well help alleviate prostate problems. The Duke study found that as little as one hour of walking per week correlated to a lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Moreover, regular exercise definitely helps reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and depression.
Exercise probably reduces the risk of other cancers as well as prostate cancer. If you have prostate problems or prostate cancer, consult with your doctor about a good exercise program and get moving.
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