The Efficacy of a Referral and Physical Activity Program for Survivors of Prostate Cancer

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There is evidence that engaging in physical activity improves the physical health of prostate cancer survivors. Despite this evidence, men who survive prostate cancer do not engage in recommended levels of physical activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential influence clinicians could have on increasing physical activity levels among prostate cancer survivors, by referring cancer survivors to a physical activity program, with expert involvement from exercise physiologists. The participants will be 220 survivors of prostate cancer, defined as men who have completed active treatment (hormone treatment exempt) for prostate cancer three-12 months prior. The study has been designed as a randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of an intervention (i.e., a clinician’s referral to a physical activity program) to generate a) behaviour change by increasing physical activity levels that is sustained over time and b) improve psychosocial and quality of life outcomes among prostate cancer survivors. The patients’ treating clinicians will be randomised to either the intervention arm or control arm of the trial. The intervention will involve clinicians referring participants to an Active Exercise Program, which comprises 12 weeks of small group sessions and individual home-based physical activity. Patients of clinicians assigned to the control arm will receive usual advice regarding physical activity, given the information and consent form, and invited to be involved in the study by the clinician. The main outcomes that will be measured in this trial are participation in physical activity, cancer-specific quality of life, anxiety relating to prostate cancer, depressed mood, and objective physical functioning. Measurements of these outcomes will be made using standard questionnaires. The questionnaires will be administered baseline (T1), on completion of the intervention (T2), and at six-(T3) and 12-months post-recruitment (T4). Objective physical functioning will be measures at baseline (T1) and on completion of intervention (T2). This study will inform the development of a physical activity program for prostate cancer survivors which could become available across Victorian YMCA facilities and ultimately across Australia.