Feasibility of a Nordic Lifestyle Intervention Trial on Prostate Cancer Progression
Rikke Hansen, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. The number of men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer is dramatically increasing. Obesity and related insulin resistance and hyper-insulinemia are associated with higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer and increased mortality among prostate cancer patients. Endurance training and high intake on rye and fibre decrease insulin secretion and may reduce detrimental metabolic effects on prostate cancer progression.
We hypothesize that a lifestyle intervention, including a health-promoting energy restricted diet with a high intake of whole grain rye products combined with a high level of vigorous activity, may improve the metabolic profile, increase quality of life and delay prostate cancer progression among men on active surveillance.
We aim to conduct a Nordic randomized, multi-center, clinical trial in Sweden, Iceland and Denmark, investigating the effect of an intensive lifestyle intervention according to a) progression of prostate cancer, b) quality of life, bodily awareness and individual empowerment, and c) the metabolic profile among men on active surveillance with early-stage prostate cancer. Firstly, however, we conduct a feasibility study in Denmark, where we seek to establish whether it is possible to enroll participants for a lifestyle intervention including a health-promoting diet high on rye combined with a high level of physical activity among this particular patient group, and to monitor compliance with the intervention by interviews, exercise tests and measurement of biomarkers in blood and urine. Furthermore, we will investigate the effects of the lifestyle intervention according to a) cancer progression, b) metabolic profile and c) psychological aspects of living with cancer among early-stage prostate cancer patients. We will proceed with feasibility studies in Sweden and Iceland if we find the project feasible in Denmark.
Identification of nutritional and behavioural changes that delay disease progression as well as increase quality of life among men with prostate cancer is of major public health importance.