A structured programme combining exercise, dietary advice and behavioural support may help men cope better with prostate cancer treatment, according to a UK study.
Researchers found that men receiving androgen deprivation therapy, or ADT, reported a better quality of life and less fatigue after taking part in a supervised lifestyle programme known as STAMINA.
The findings, published in The Lancet Oncology, suggest that lifestyle support could become a more consistent part of prostate cancer care.
The study did not show whether the programme improves survival. Researchers assessed quality of life and fatigue over 12 months rather than long-term cancer outcomes.
ADT is commonly used to treat prostate cancer. It may be given alongside radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other treatments. The therapy reduces the body’s supply or effect of androgens, hormones that can encourage some prostate cancers to grow.
Although ADT can be an important treatment, it may cause challenging side effects. These include reduced sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, loss of bone density, fatigue and mood changes. Some men also experience weight gain, reduced muscle strength, metabolic changes and lower physical fitness.
The STAMINA programme was designed to help patients manage these effects while maintaining daily function and wellbeing. Participants received supervised aerobic and resistance exercise, dietary guidance and behavioural support. This approach offered more structure than simply advising patients to exercise or improve their diet independently.
The five-year research project was funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research. It involved 700 men receiving ADT for prostate cancer at 15 National Health Service facilities in England. The median age of participants was 71. Almost all were white, which limits how widely the results can be applied to other ethnic groups.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups between January 2022 and January 2023. One group took part in the STAMINA programme. The other received standard supplementary care, including general education, encouragement from clinicians and behavioural prompts. Follow-up continued until June 2024.
Attendance was high. More than 80 per cent of men assigned to STAMINA attended their scheduled sessions during the 12-month trial period. Researchers reported that these men experienced a smaller decline in cancer-specific quality of life. They also reported less fatigue than those receiving standard care.
The improvement was described as reducing deterioration in quality of life by as much as one-third. This matters because fatigue and reduced physical capacity can affect almost every aspect of life, including employment, household tasks, relationships, sleep and emotional health.
The study also highlights the importance of how lifestyle advice is delivered. Both groups received information and support. The additional benefit appeared among men who had access to supervised exercise, continued coaching and a structured programme.
Experts say that distinction is important. Many patients understand that exercise and a balanced diet may be beneficial. However, knowing what to do is not always enough. Cancer treatment can bring exhaustion, anxiety, pain and frequent medical appointments. These difficulties may prevent people from turning general advice into lasting habits.
Supervision can provide reassurance, accountability and flexibility. Exercise can be adjusted when a patient feels tired or develops treatment-related symptoms. Dietary advice can also be adapted to a person’s preferences, existing health conditions and practical circumstances.
The findings are consistent with wider research into cancer survivorship. Regular physical activity can help preserve muscle strength, support cardiovascular health, improve mood and reduce some types of treatment-related fatigue. It may also help people remain independent as they age.
Resistance training is especially relevant for men receiving ADT because hormone suppression can contribute to muscle and bone loss. Weight-bearing activity may support bone health, while strength exercises can help maintain physical function. Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, can improve stamina and heart health.
Diet also contributes to overall wellbeing, although no single food has been shown to prevent or cure prostate cancer. Experts generally recommend an eating pattern that includes vegetables, fruit, pulses, wholegrains, nuts, seeds and sources of unsaturated fat. Fish may also form part of a balanced diet where appropriate.
Reducing reliance on highly processed foods, excess sugar and large quantities of processed or red meat may support general health. Dietary changes should remain realistic rather than extreme. Men undergoing cancer treatment may also have conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease, which need to be considered.
The study does not mean that every man receiving ADT should begin a demanding exercise routine without medical advice. A healthcare professional should assess fitness, bone health, cardiovascular risk and other treatment-related concerns before exercise begins. Some patients may need a gentler programme, particularly those with advanced disease, severe fatigue, pain or a history of falls.
The study has several limitations. Participants were followed for 12 months, so the long-term effects remain uncertain. Researchers do not yet know whether men continue exercising after the formal programme ends. Further research is also needed to determine whether lifestyle support affects treatment completion, hospital admissions, disease progression or survival.
The predominantly white study population is another limitation. Prostate cancer affects different communities in different ways. Future programmes should include more diverse participants to ensure that support is suitable for everyone.
The findings come as prostate cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among men. The organisation has reported a rise in diagnoses in recent years, including a marked increase in advanced-stage disease. The increase may partly reflect changes in screening and detection. Other risk factors include age, family history and obesity. Most prostate cancers occur in older men, with risk increasing after the age of 50.
Early prostate cancer may cause no obvious symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include a frequent need to urinate, difficulty starting or stopping urination, a weak or slow stream, blood in the urine and erectile dysfunction. More advanced disease may cause pain or numbness in the legs and feet, although these symptoms can have many other causes.
Screening may involve a prostate-specific antigen blood test, known as a PSA test, and a digital rectal examination. Imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound, may be used when cancer is suspected. A biopsy is often required to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment depends on the cancer’s stage, grade, growth pattern and the patient’s general health. Options may include active surveillance, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormone-based treatment. Some men receive more than one approach.
For patients undergoing ADT, the STAMINA findings offer a practical message: lifestyle support may be most useful when it is prescribed, monitored and adapted rather than presented as a general recommendation.
The results also underline the importance of discussing quality of life during cancer care. Treatment success is not measured only through scans or blood tests. The ability to walk, sleep, work, socialise and manage everyday tasks matters greatly to patients and their families.
Emotional support is important, too. Prostate cancer and its treatment can affect confidence, sexual relationships, body image and mood. Support groups, counselling and conversations with trusted family members may help men manage anxiety and isolation.
The strongest conclusion from the study is not that diet and exercise cure prostate cancer. It is that properly supervised lifestyle support may help men live better while receiving treatment. For many patients, that is an important outcome in its own right.
The post Supervised Exercise and Diet Programme May Improve Quality of Life for Men Receiving Prostate Cancer Treatment first appeared on PP Health Malaysia (PPHM) | 10POINTS Evidence-Based Health News.
