Exercises and Treatments to Manage the Side-Effects of Hormone Therapy for Men With Prostate Cancer

A recent study on the effects of hormone therapy for men with metastatic prostate cancer revealed that treatment breaks can shorten patients' lives. Although early studies showed that periodic androgen deprivation therapy was as effective as continuous treatments but with reduced side-effects, doctors may now have to recommend continuous ADT due to the new findings.

In a decade-long study that tracked almost 1,500 men with hormone-sensitive cancers, researchers discovered that patients who underwent continuous ADT for minimal cancer spread lived two years longer in contrast to those who underwent periodic therapy. For those treated for extensive cancer spread, however, patients who were given intermittent therapy lived an average of five years, while those who took continuous treatment survived an average of four-and-a-half years. Despite the results in the second group, researchers still recommended against giving testosterone therapy breaks until further study.

Although continuous ADT is now considered superior to interrupted therapy, it still poses many side-effects. Low testosterone causes hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, depression, decreased bone density, increased body fat, and higher risks of developing heart disease and diabetes. Because of these, many doctors have explored different ways to help alleviate or prevent the onset of these adverse side-effects as they treat their patients.

Below are some of the treatments and exercises that can supplement continuous hormone deprivation therapy:

Acupuncture
A study published in the International Journal of Clinical Medicine showed that acupuncture was able to reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes experienced by men undergoing ADT. Furthermore, the treatment did not increase testosterone levels despite ameliorating the condition, thus proving to be a safe form of treatment for men with prostate cancer.

Exercise
Studies have shown that resistance training improves the body composition and quality of life of patients undergoing ADT. Weight training exercises, such as chest and leg presses, scheduled two to four times per week over a period of 12 weeks can help improve fatigue, muscular fitness, and bone density without affecting serum levels of testosterone.

Since men may have a higher risk of osteoporosis because of the hormone deprivation treatment, patients should also be given exercises that are focused on balance, such as tai chi, to reduce the risk of falls and fractures.

Certain forms of cardiovascular exercises also help increase muscle and bone mass. Swimming, cycling, and working out on elliptical trainers are good exercises that help build muscle. Aerobic exercises and dancing can also improve both muscle mass and bone density.