This week's blog comes from Prostate Cancer UK :

I’m sure we’re all aware of the benefits of walking: fresh air, a chance to walk with friends or alone, sustainable travel and a great form of gentle exercise.

But what about the benefits for those with or worried about prostate cancer?

Men should walk to:

1. Reduce the risk of prostate cancer¹

• Walking or bicycling more than 30 min per day during adult life is associated with reduced incidence of prostate cancer.
• And the more the better. Compared to those who did 30 minutes of exercise per day, every additional 30 minutes of walking or cycling reduced the risk of prostate cancer by 7% - this includes a reduction in risk of localised prostate cancer of 8% and advanced prostate cancer of 12%.

2. Prevent the progression of prostate cancer²

• A large study of 1455 men diagnosed with prostate cancer found a strong benefit of brisk walking on reducing the risk of prostate cancer progression - brisk walking after diagnosis might inhibit or delay prostate cancer progression.
• Men who are physically active have a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality, whether the exercise was vigorous or not.

3. Reduce the severity of side effects from treatment for prostate cancer

• A number of studies have shown that fatigue is reduced, and fitness and quality of life is improved in men undergoing a variety of treatments.

So how can you get involved to reap the obvious benefits of walking whilst also raising money for Prostate Cancer UK?

• Organise your own walk on Walk4Life and contribute to the 10,000 Challenge
• Conquer the Thames Path Challenge
• Climb Ben Nevis!
• Other ways you can support the charity

¹ A prospective study of lifetime physical activity and prostate cancer incidence and mortality.
Orsini N. Bellocco R. Bottai M. Pagano M. Andersson SO. Johansson JE. Giovannucci E. Wolk A.
British Journal of Cancer. 101(11):1932-8, 2009 Dec 1.
[Journal Article. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't]
UI: 19861965
http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&CSC=Y&NEWS=N&PAGE=fulltext&D=medl&AN=19861965

² Physical activity and survival after prostate cancer diagnosis in the health professionals follow-up study.
Kenfield SA. Stampfer MJ. Giovannucci E. Chan JM.
Journal of Clinical Oncology. 29(6):726-32, 2011 Feb 20.
[Journal Article. Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural]
UI: 21205749
http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&CSC=Y&NEWS=N&PAGE=fulltext&D=medl&AN=21205749