What Practitioners Perceive As Being Their Prostate Cancer Patients Motives For Physical Activity

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the mostly commonly diagnosed male cancers. Engaging in regular physical activity (PA) throughout the PCa continuum (from diagnosis and treatment, through to remission and survivorship) is beneficial for the physical and psychological health and wellbeing of PCa survivors.

Purpose:
To identify what healthcare practitioners’ perceive as being their PCa patients motives for PA.

Methods:
Sixteen Auckland-based urology and oncology practitioners were individually interviewed. Data was analyzed using an inductive thematic approach.

Results:
Three main themes were identified as being perceived motives for PA engagement in PCa patients and survivors: (1) The cancer diagnosis (2) to retain maleness and strength through physical activity, and (3) to delay cancer progression and prevent treatment-related side effects.

Conclusion:
A PCa diagnosis can lead to a ‘teachable moment’ when men may be receptive to making positive lifestyle-related changes (i.e., physical activity, dietary changes). Physical activity in the form of aerobic and resistance exercise can help counteract adverse PCa treatment-related side effects, especially those related to hormone suppression therapy. Regular PA can slow the progression of PCa and lower the risk of PCa mortality. Despite the benefits of regular PA, the majority of PCa survivors are not engaging in sufficient activity to achieve health-related gain. Healthcare practitioners are ideally positioned to enquire whether the men are engaging in PA, and to provide PA advice or referral to PA programs.