Physical activity assessment among men undergoing genetic counseling for inherited prostate cancer: a teachable moment for improved survivorship

BACKGROUND: Genetic counseling (GC) presents an opportunity to address modifiable cancer risk factors, such as obesity, which is impacted by non-adherence to physical activity (PA) guidelines. Adherence to PA guidelines has not been assessed among men undergoing GC for prostate cancer (PCA). We conducted a targeted analysis of men undergoing PCA GC to assess adherence to PA recommendations. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 158 men from the Genetic Evaluation of Men (GEM) study at two academic cancer centers with a diagnosis or at-risk for PCA completed a structured lifestyle survey, including questions about the number of days and intensity of PA over the past year. One-sample t-tests assessed adherence of participants to PA recommendations. Chi-square analyses compared differences in PA adherence by PCA status, aggressiveness, family history and body mass index. Logistic regression analyses identified predictors of PA adherence. RESULTS: High proportions of GEM participants were overweight (44.9%) or obese (38.0%), p = 0.002). Men with PCA engaged in less moderate (p = 0.019) and vigorous (p = 0.005) aerobic activity than men without PCA. Higher education was predictive of adherence to light (p = 0.008), moderate (p = 0.019), and vigorous (p = 0.002) intensity PA. Older age (p = 0.015) and higher education (p = 0.001) were predictive of adherence to strength-based recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: High proportions of men receiving PCA GC were overweight /obese and lacked adherence to PA recommendations. GC represents a teachable moment to address PA to reduce cancer risk and promote cancer survivorship.