PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOURS AMONG MEN WITH PROSTATE CANCER: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

B. Bressi^1,2, S. Costi^3,4, C. Iotti⁵, M. Cagliari³, S. Cavuto⁴, F.A.M. Bergamaschi⁶, A. Moscato⁶, S. Fugazzaro²

Background: Quality of life of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) is negatively affected by side effects of curative treatments. The guidelines addressing PCa medical management recommend physical exercise (PE) to improve clinical and functional outcomes in this patient population, and PE should be performed regularly, so that it becomes a healthy habit. However, most individuals living with cancer do not meet current exercise recommendations and a trend to become less physically active has been documented in the elderly, with low adherence to the recommended levels of PE. Indeed, only 41.9% of men with PCa perform the recommended amount of PE, with greater levels of inactivity for individuals receiving active treatment. Hence, a deep understanding of patient motivation to exercise seems fundamental to promote feasible PE interventions and to foster patients’ adherence to a healthier lifestyle.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe the lifestyle of patients with PCa, focusing on regular PE habits and motivation to change towards healthier lifestyles. In addition, we describe the perceived barriers by patients regarding this change.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an Italian Hospital setting. Consecutive newly diagnosed PCa patients were invited to participate in an interview. We collected data on the patients’ PE, smoking, eating, and drinking daily habits. We also investigated the perceived impact of lifestyle on patients' health and barriers to a potential change towards nealthier habits.

Results: Twenty-four interviews were conducted. The mean age of patients was 70.7 ± 6.8 (range 50-84) with adequate cognitive status (average Mini Mental State Evaluation 27.7 ± 1.4). Most participants were married (83%), with low (42%) or medium (42%) education level. 63% of participants were overweight/obese. Most participants (80%) reported to be physically active but 37% of them did not reach the recommended PE level. 37% of the participants declared that they would like to participate in a structured exercise program; conversely 46% would not participate and 17% were uncertain about that. Three patients were current smokers (13%), and did not think that smoking can negatively affect their health status. Regarding eating and drinking habits, almost all participants were not willing to change their habits, although 46% declare themselves aware of being overweight/obese and also of the appropriateness to improve them.

Conclusion(s): Despite the recommendation and the diffused awareness of the beneficial effects of PE, more than a third of patients with PCa do not reach the desirable levels of PE. These preliminary results indicate the need to implement feasible and acceptable exercise program, that take into consideration the patients’ preference. In this population it seems also necessary implement strategies that increase patients’ motivation and empowerment toward the adoption of healthier lifestyles.

Implications: Physiotherapists should implement strategies to support patients adherence to feasible and effective PE programs and should apply approaches to foster health promotion in patients with PCa.

Funding, acknowledgements: No funding was received to support this study.

Keywords: Prostatic neoplasms, Exercise, Life Style

Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia

Committee: Comitato Etico dell'Area Vasta Emilia Nord

Ethics number: 425/2019/OSS/AUSLRE