
Exercise for Prostate Cancer Patients
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that all persons diagnosed with cancer engage in 150 min of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise and two resistance (strength) training sessions per week. It is also recommended to limit sedentary time (sitting, reclining) and engage in activity throughout your day.
The medical literature recommends that prostate cancer patients try to meet these guidelines pre- and post- treatment to facilitate recovery and help prevent any decline in their quality of life. Ideally, an exercise prescription should be individually tailored to each patient, taking into consideration their overall health. Regular exercise has been shown to help reduce and manage side effects of prostate cancer treatments such as fatigue, weight gain, muscle loss, urinary incontinence, mood changes and sexual function.
We offer a one-on-one exercise clinic with an Exercise Physiologist. The clinic includes a mandatory 1.5 hour group education session. The goal is to increase physical activity levels and improve overall health by supporting long-term behavioral changes. Men will be seen within 4 weeks of attending the group session for a 45 minute appointment, and then again at 3, 6, and 12 months. During the initial visit, body measurements will be taken and an assessment made of current exercise levels against national recommendations. Exercise options and differing exercise programs will be discussed and exercise-based goals will be set.
Please visit the “Session Dates” page for each location to see the time/date for the next available Module 3 Exercise session. If you would like to attend the clinic please contact the program coordinator.
As part of the ‘Lifestyle Management’ module of the Prostate Cancer Supportive Care (PCSC) Program, we offer regular information sessions covering the importance of exercise and how to reasonably increase activity levels. These sessions are for patients in all stages of the disease and all levels of fitness.
Module 3 Recording
Click here for the Exercise presentation slides
PCSC Home Exercise Program
PCSC Home Exercise Program for Bone METS Patients
If you are interested in attending a module, please contact the PCSC Program Coordinator at 604-875-4485 or pcsc@vch.ca, or please complete the intake form via the link below.
CONTACT
Phone: 604-875-4485 | Phone (toll-free): 844-483-1449
Fax: 604-875-4637
Email: pcsc@vch.ca