Burleigh Heads 07 5535 5218
Broadbeach 07 5539 8830
Burleigh Heads 07 5535 5218
Broadbeach 07 5539 8830
Radical prostatectomy is the most common therapy for prostate cancer. Another common prostate cancer therapy is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) which reduces the amount of testosterone produced. These prostate cancer therapies can be effective in treating the cancer however they can be accompanied by side effects and complications for the men undergoing them.
Complications of Treatment for Prostate Cancer
More than 80% of patients have reported urinary incontinence 1 month after radical prostatectomy. Urinary incontinence can affect patients’ activities of daily living and quality of life.
Men undergoing ADT can experience side effects such as reduced fitness, loss of bone and muscle mass, increased fatigue and weight gain.
Exercise is an important adjunction therapy to prostate cancer therapies.
The benefits of exercise for people with cancer include:
Specific exercise for urinary incontinence after a prostatectomy is most commonly prescribed in the form of pelvic floor muscle exercise. Research suggests that pelvic floor muscle exercise is an economical and safe therapy for patients, however, to correctly isolate and contract these muscles patients require the guidance of a professional therapist.
Patients who completed guided pelvic floor exercise had a higher rate of continence at 1, 3, 4, 6 and 12 months after the prostatectomy surgery.
The PHIT exercise class is a progressive 20-week program designed specifically for prostate cancer survivors post-prostatectomy. The class is 45 minutes in duration and is guided by an accredited exercise physiologist. The class includes: