Androgen suppression treatment (AST) for men with prostate cancer is associated with a number of treatment-related side effects including an accelerated rate of bone loss.
This loss of bone is greatest within the first year of AST and increases the risk for fracture. Pharmaceutical treatment in the form of bisphosphonates is currently used to counter the effects of hormone suppression on bone but is costly and associated with potential adverse effects. Recently, exercise has been shown to be an important adjuvant therapy to manage a range of treatment-related toxicities and enhance aspects of quality of life for men receiving AST. We propose that physical exercise may also have an important role in not only attenuating the bone loss associated with AST but in improving bone health and reducing fracture risk. In this review, the rationale underlying exercise as a countermeasure to AST-induced bone loss is provided.
Written by:
Bolam KA, Galvão DA, Spry N, Newton RU, Taaffe DR. Are you the author?
Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Reference: Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2012 Jun 26. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1038/pcan.2012.22
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22733158
UroToday.com Prostate Cancer Section