Physical activity can make a big difference if you have prostate cancer.

We are all aware that physical activity and exercise is healthy.

What we may not realize is how important it is and that it can even make a difference in cancer survival.

The study reviewed here evaluated the association of physical activity and prostate cancer survival in men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and followed for 18 years (Kenfield SA, et al. 2011).

The physically active men had a lower risk of all-cause mortality.

Those who walked for 90 minutes or more per week at a normal to very brisk pace had a 46% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared with shorter durations at an easy walking pace. The men with 3 hours or more per week of vigorous activity had a 49% lower risk of all-cause mortality.

What was very interesting was that men with 3 hours or more per week of vigorous activity had a 61% lower risk of dying from prostate cancer compared with men with less than 1 hour per week of vigorous activity.

It was concluded that a moderate amount of vigorous activity such as biking, tennis, jogging or swimming for 3 hours a week may substantially improve prostate cancer survival.

Kenfield SA, Stampfer MJ, Giovannucci E, Chan JM. Physical Activity and Survival After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. J Clin Oncol. 2011 Jan 4.