Exercise oncology

 PEX Trial

Preoperative exercise medicine for prostate cancer.

Published August 27, 2018

About the PEX Trial

Radical prostatectomy is often followed by short and long term side effects such as urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Exercise has been established to be safe and result in improved physical wellbeing for cancer patients. Recent research suggests that pre-surgical exercise offers strong potential to optimise physical function and minimise the side effects of surgery. The purpose of this research study is to examine whether exercise before and after prostatectomy can decrease treatment-related side effects such as urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

Who is this trial for?

• Men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer who are scheduled for radical prostatectomy
• Radical prostatectomy to be performed by Prof Tony Costello, Dr Justin Peters, Dr Phil Dundee or Dr Homi Zargar
• Need to be able to read and speak English

What does participation involve?

• Best practice pelvic floor physiotherapy treatment before and after surgery. This includes two individual sessions with a specialist physio, an information booklet and a tailored pelvic floor muscle training program
• Chance to receive a 4-5-month best practice full-body exercise program before and after surgery. This includes an individualized program, delivered by a qualified exercise physiologist at fitness centres throughout Melbourne
• All provided free of charge to participants

Where are the exercise clinics?

• Genesis Health and Fitness, Melbourne CBD
• Coburg Leisure Centre, Coburg
• Hawthorn Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Hawthorn
• Monash Sport and Fitness, Caulfield
• Sunshine Leisure Centre, Sunshine

How do I get involved?

• To find out more, please download PEX Trial Flyer
• Contact our team at (03) 9230 8268 or exerciseoncology@acu.edu.au

Register your interest to participate in this trial