The news about the power of exercise against cancer just keeps getting better. Two new studies reinforce evidence that working out plays an important role in helping prevent aggressive cancer, and helping to keep it from advancing further.

Muscle strength, cardiac fitness and cancer

First, in Jan. 2025 the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) published an analysis of 42 previous studies explored the connection between strong muscles and aerobic fitness with mortality rates in cancer patients.^[i] In particular, the authors calculated all-cause death rates (cancer patients dying from any cause) as well as cancer-specific rates (cancer patients dying from their cancer). They also correlated these numbers with the type of cancer, and the stage of cancer. This amounts to a thorough analysis, and the 42 studies accounted for a total of over 46,000 patients.

The authors report that overall, those patients with high muscle strength or high cardiorespiratory (heart-lung) fitness had lower all-cause death rates than those with low fitness levels; in fact, rates were 31-46% lower. The greater their muscle strength, the lower the all-cause death rate. This was likewise true for patients with advanced cancer. In particular, for patients who had lung and digestive cancers, all-cause death rates were 19-41% lower. Finally, the greater the levels of cardio fitness, the lower the risk of dying from cancer (18% reduced risk).

As the authors wrote in their conclusion, the significant link between greater fitness and lower death rates, especially in those with advanced cancers, or lung and digestive cancers, “…highlights the importance of assessing fitness measures for predicting mortality in cancer patients. Given these findings, tailored exercise prescriptions to improve muscle strength and CRF in patients with cancer may contribute to reducing cancer-related mortality.”

Exercise fights prostate cancer – Discovery Vitality

The same journal carried another concurrent paper reporting results of a study conducted by Discovery Vitality.^[ii] You may not have heard of Discovery Vitality, an insurance-affiliated behavior change program that began in South Africa in 1977 and now has 20 million members in 37 countries. Founded by Discovery Health, a South African insurance company, it is designed to encourage people to lead longer, healthier lives by rewarding them for making progress through exercise. It reinforces participation in prevention and wellness activities by awarding Vitality Points. Participants move through status levels from Bronze to Diamond. Points are rewarded based on status, and can be used for discounts on retail goods, airline and travel discounts, etc. The program tracks each member’s exercise (type, frequency, duration, and intensity are recorded and translated into weekly minutes of exercise.)

Thus, the authors of this second BJSM article had a huge, detailed statistical database to work from. For the analysis, Discovery partnered with Wits University (Johannesburg, SA) and the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario) to process data on 28,248 individuals with stage 1 cancer, examining their levels of physical activity during 12 months prior to diagnosis. The two most common cancers were prostate and breast cancer.

The study is considered groundbreaking because it presents compelling evidence that engaging in regular exercise before a cancer diagnosis lowers the cancer death rate; it also shows that working out discourages cancer progression. According to a news report, “Moderate to high physical activity (60 or more minutes per week) compared to no activity in the year preceding the diagnosis of cancer was associated with:

• 27% lower risk of cancer progression.
• 47% lower risk of death from any cause.

Low physical activity (less than 60 minutes per week) compared to no activity in the year preceding the diagnosis of cancer showed:

• 16% lower risk of cancer progression.
• 33% lower risk of death from any cause.”

Clearly, these two studies are good news for individual cancer patients, including prostate cancer patients. They gain enormous advantages from a lifestyle that includes weekly moderate to high exercise. Patient outcomes are improved through less risk of cancer progression as well as lower odds of dying from cancer. Large-scale economies also stand to benefit. A healthier population means spending far fewer healthcare dollars, reducing the burden of cancer care. This is good news for both public health and private insurance—as Discover Health is pleased to point out.

Prostate cancer patients, take heed. Our own blogs include many on the importance of exercise for PCa prevention, control, and more favorable mortality rates. If you’re not already exercising regularly—be it strength training, cardiovascular workouts, or whatever—get moving. Do it now.

NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.

References

[i] Bettariga F, Galvao D, Taaffe D, Bishop C et al. Association of muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness with all-cause and cancer-specific mortality in patients diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2025 Jan 21:bjsports-2024-108671.
[ii] Mabena N, Rugbeer N, Lehmann S, Torres G et al. Association between recorded physical activity and cancer progression or mortality in individuals diagnosed with cancer in South Africa. Br J Sports Med. 2025 Jan 7:bjsports 2024-108813.