Share on PinterestA recent study suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness may have an impact on the risk of developing prostate cancer. Better cardiorespiratory health could potentially lower the likelihood of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to a new study conducted in Sweden. Although prostate cancer is a common diagnosis among men, the study does not establish a direct link between cardiorespiratory health and prostate cancer mortality. Experts believe that the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and prostate cancer diagnosis is likely due to overall better health. The study involved Swedish men and found a strong connection between cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. Even a modest 3% improvement in cardiorespiratory health was associated with a 35% decrease in the risk of prostate cancer. It’s important to note that this study specifically focuses on the risk of developing prostate cancer and does not make any claims about the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and the chances of dying from prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is highly prevalent among men, particularly those over the age of 65. It is the second leading cause of death in men, following lung cancer. Despite its widespread occurrence, the majority of men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not succumb to the disease. The optimal course of action following a prostate cancer diagnosis, whether it’s surgical prostate removal (prostatectomy), radiation therapy, or a watchful waiting approach, continues to be a topic of ongoing debate. Physicians typically monitor the presence and severity of prostate cancer through various blood tests, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. The findings of the study were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The research involved an analysis of health records from Sweden, encompassing 57,652 men who reported their physical activity levels, self-perceived health, lifestyle, and body measurements. Additionally, each participant underwent a minimum of two cardiorespiratory fitness tests on a stationary bicycle, with their cardiorespiratory fitness measured using a V02 max test, which assesses the maximum amount of oxygen consumed and exhaled during exercise. Throughout an average follow-up period of 6.7 years, 46 men passed away due to prostate cancer. While the Swedish health system offers valuable data for research, it’s important to acknowledge that the study’s participants primarily consisted of White Scandinavian men, and did not include individuals at the highest risk for prostate cancer, such as Black men. Dr. Jayne Morgan, a cardiologist at GeoVax, emphasized this as a significant limitation when speaking with Medical News Today. Alongside this concern, Dr. Morgan pointed out the lack of information regarding whether men with higher fitness levels or better cardiorespiratory health also had distinct health habits related to their diet, sleep patterns, hobbies, engagement with the healthcare system, obesity, employment status (all participants were employed), and other lifestyle choices that could impact their health and potential risk of developing cancer. Dr. Ramkishen Narayanan, a urologist and urologic oncologist at the Center for Urologic Health at the Disney Family Cancer Center in Burbank, CA, who was not involved in the study, appreciated the study’s focus on prostate cancer diagnosis rather than mortality. Due to the low number of prostate cancer-related deaths, meaningful analysis of mortality is challenging. He noted that at an average follow-up period of seven years, only about 1% of participants experienced mortality, indicating small numbers for in-depth analysis. Dr. Narayanan suggested that the potential benefit of improved cardiorespiratory fitness may be primarily attributed to overall better health and its positive impact on reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome. He emphasized that modifiable risk factors, such as high blood pressure and obesity, can contribute to different cancer risks. Dr. Morgan also highlighted the connection between greater cardiorespiratory fitness and overall fitness, leading to reduced abdominal fat, weight loss, lower insulin resistance, decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, and improved cholesterol levels. She explained that chronic systemic inflammation is a shared risk factor for both cancer and heart disease, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in men with prostate cancer. Additionally, men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer treatment experience an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Dr. Morgan identified several aspects that she would like to see addressed in a more comprehensive follow-up study, such as using a validated V02 max measurement, accounting for concurrent health conditions and lifestyle factors, conducting randomized controlled trials, incorporating diverse populations, especially Black men, increasing the number of study timepoints, and considering age in the randomization process. Dr. Narayanan proposed reversing the study’s approach, suggesting a focus on a population with prostate cancer and examining biochemical recurrence to determine whether enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness aligns with a reduced risk of disease recurrence. Following treatment for prostate cancer, individuals undergo regular monitoring of their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels indefinitely. Dr. Narayanan underscored the importance of promoting cardiovascular fitness as a proactive approach for men, compared to attributing potential cancer risks solely to genetic predisposition and family history. He addressed a common misconception that improving testosterone levels could elevate the risk of prostate cancer, emphasizing that this notion has been debunked. He emphasized the significance of dispelling this misconception and its impact on potential prevention strategies.
