SLASH Prostate Cancer Risk 35%?

Prostate cancer was in the headlines this past week, with speculation that King Charles III’s recent cancer diagnosis is related to his prostate.

The jury is still out on what type of cancer the King is being treated for. But if it turns out to be prostate, he’s in good company.

About one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. And the older you are, the greater your risk.

Some prostate cancers are non-aggressive and slow-growing, which is why many men are opting for the wait-and-see approach.

Those who do get treatment often have to deal with life-altering side effects like urinary incontinence, rectal bleeding, erectile dysfunction, and more.

If you don’t want to be faced with making a difficult treatment decision, there’s a change you can make to SLASH your risk of prostate cancer.

A recent study found that men whose cardiorespiratory fitness improved by just three percent per year over 5 years—rather than declining—had a 35 percent lower risk of prostate cancer.

Cardiorespiratory fitness refers to how well your heart and lungs transport oxygen to your muscles during exercise.

In a fitness test, using MORE oxygen indicates a greater fitness level.

Anything that gets your heart rate up will increase your cardiorespiratory fitness. So, while taking a casual evening stroll is far better than sitting in your La-Z-Boy, it won’t improve cardiorespiratory fitness.

You’ll need to get your blood pumping and your heart rate up through jogging, biking, dancing, pickleball, swimming, hiking—or whatever active hobby interests you.

I’m encouraged that this study found that regardless of your age—or your current fitness level—taking steps to improve it could still lower your risk.

In fact, even if you’ve already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, exercise can help. Studies show intense exercise can improve outcomes, delay progression, and improve survival rates.

King Charles III, who is reportedly very active and works out twice a day, may be reaping these exercise benefits himself.

So, no matter how old you are, or where you are in your fitness journey, the message is the same:

Move it or lose it.

P.S. Easy “Belly fix” could prevent AGGRESSIVE prostate cancer.

SOURCE:

Bolam KA, Bojsen-Møller E, Wallin P, et al., “Association between change in cardiorespiratory fitness and prostate cancer incidence and mortality in 57 652 Swedish men,” British Journal of Sports Medicine Published Online First: 30 January 2024. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107007