(HealthDay News) -- Engaging in a regular walking regimen can improve well-being for men with prostate cancer, according to new research published online in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice.

In the new study, a team led by Siobhan Phillips, Ph.D., of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, tracked outcomes for 51,529 early-stage prostate cancer survivors in the United States, who completed a survey about their quality of life. Many of the men reported having urinary and bowel problems, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual function problems, as well as weight gain, fatigue, and depression. The men also provided information about the average amount of time per week they spent walking, jogging, running, cycling, swimming, and playing sports.

According to the study, 3 hours of "casual" walking per week boosted the men's health-related quality of life by reducing fatigue, depression, and weight issues. Walking at a faster pace for 90 minutes a week provided similar benefits, the team found.

"This study shows that you don't have to engage in high-impact, vigorous activities to improve your quality of life after a prostate cancer diagnosis," Phillips said in a university news release. "Since many prostate cancer survivors might find vigorous activities hard to stick with, the good news is that simply focusing on walking more may be enough to make them feel better."

Source

1. Phillips, SM, et al. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, April 16, 2015; doi: 10.1007/s11764-015-0426-2.

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