Physical activity, health, and wellbeing among men with localised prostate cancer in Queensland: baseline data from the Living with Prostate Cancer study — YRD
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Physical activity, health, and wellbeing among men with localised prostate cancer in Queensland: baseline data from the Living with Prostate Cancer study (#125)

Suzanne Chambers 1 2 , Robert Newton 3 , Afaf Girgis 4 , Anna Stiller 1 , Stephen Lepore 5 , Cathrine Mihalopoulos 6 , RA ‘Frank’ Gardiner 7 8 , Daniel Galvao 3 , Stefano Occhipinti 2
  1. Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control, Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
  2. Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
  3. Edith Cowan University Health & Wellness Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
  4. Ingham Institute, South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of NSW, Sydney, Australia
  5. Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
  6. Deakin Health Economics, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
  7. University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
  8. Department of Urology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia

Aims: Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in developed countries and diagnosis and treatment-related side effects impact on patients’ quality of life and supportive care needs. These difficulties may be further amplified by physical inactivity and obesity. However there is limited current information available about patients’ exercise patterns and their overall wellness and support needs in the Queensland population. This presentation describes the physical activity levels, quality of life, and supportive care needs of a population-based sample of men with localised prostate cancer in Queensland.

Methods: Recruitment was conducted through the Queensland Cancer Registry, a population-based register of cancer diagnoses in Queensland. A series of previously validated and self-report measures were administered to 463 men recently diagnosed with localised prostate cancer.

Results: Insufficient or no physical activity (67.0% of the sample), overweight/obesity (74.7%), and some need for help in the sexuality domain (55.8%) were prevalent among this population. These characteristics vary with age and may be further complicated by the frequency of other physical health comorbidities, with 86.9% reporting one or more chronic health conditions. Information that was provided by their doctor and family/friends were the most commonly accessed sources of support in relation to their prostate cancer.

Conclusions: This information may assist in identifying areas for intervention and in promoting physical activity. Physical activity and healthy body weight remain key target areas for men with localised prostate cancer. Due to the pattern of help-seeking among these men, there may be an important role for medical practitioners in providing information and referrals in relation to these areas of lifestyle change for their patients.