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Cardiovascular and metabolic complications during androgen deprivation: exercise as a potential countermeasure

Abstract

Apart from the well-established adverse musculoskeletal and sexual health effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), evidence is accumulating of substantial ADT-related cardiovascular and metabolic complications, which may impact quality of life and overall survival. In this brief review we discuss (1) the incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic complications during/following ADT from large cohort studies, (2) the increased risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic disease from cross-sectional and prospective studies and (3) the use of physical exercise as a countermeasure in this new era of ADT-related toxicity. It is clear that exercise has the potential to provide a myriad of benefits to men undergoing ADT that may result in reduced morbidity and mortality, and subsequently improve quality of life.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Cancer Council of Western Australia, Cancer Council of Queensland and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

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Correspondence to D A Galvão.

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Galvão, D., Taaffe, D., Spry, N. et al. Cardiovascular and metabolic complications during androgen deprivation: exercise as a potential countermeasure. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 12, 233–240 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcan.2009.12

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