Walking Significantly Improves Life Following Prostate Cancer Battle

More than other forms of exercise, walking benefits prostate cancer patient, a new study concluded.

The study's findings were based on data from 51,529 men collected since 1986 by T.H Chan School of Public Health at Harvard. Researchers at North Western University who analyzed the data, found that three hours of light walking every week could significantly improve fatigue, body weight and depression issues that many men face during or after treatment.

"If you walk even more briskly, for only 90 minutes a week, you could also see similar benefits in these areas," said Siobhan Phillips the study's lead author.

The study found walking to be more effective than other forms of exercise after taking into account various lifestyle related factors including urinary and bowel problems, sexual functioning. While walking could improve hormone related activity including weight and depression, it could not affect sexual or urinary functioning.

"This study shows that you don't have to engage in high-impact, vigorous activities to improve your quality of life after a prostate cancer diagnosis. Since many prostate cancer survivors might find vigorous activities hard to stick with, the good news is that simply focusing on walking more may be enough to make them feel better," said Phillips.

Walking can help survivors ward of problems like cardiovascular disease, researchers noted. The study has been published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice.