A study found that the STAMINA lifestyle program, which includes supervised exercise and dietary advice, reduced quality of life deterioration in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy.

Researchers in the United Kingdom found that a structured lifestyle regimen known as STAMINA can improve quality of life and reduce fatigue in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer. The study, published in The Lancet Oncology, monitored 700 participants across 15 National Health Service facilities. Results indicated that the program, which combines supervised exercise, dietary guidance, and behavioral support, helped mitigate negative side effects associated with common cancer treatments.

Study Methodology and Findings

The research involved 700 men with a median age of 71, who were randomly assigned to either the STAMINA program or a standard supplementary treatment group between January 2022 and January 2023. Over a 12-month period, more than 80% of participants in the STAMINA group attended their scheduled sessions. Those in the program reported less fatigue and better cancer-specific quality of life compared to those receiving standard care.

Future Implementation and Expert Perspective

Following the study's results, Nuffield Health has launched a new cancer activity program to make a version of STAMINA available to patients. The organization plans to expand this initiative to include breast and bowel cancer patients across 50,000 medical facilities by 2030. While experts note the program's benefits for quality of life, they clarify that the study did not assess whether these lifestyle interventions translate into longer survival rates.