| The following article features coverage from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2019 meeting. Click here to read more of Cancer Therapy Advisor‘s conference coverage. |
A type of pelvic-floor exercise commonly recommended for women may help to lower the occurrence of urinary incontinence in men with prostate cancer, according to study findings presented at the ESMO Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. Prostate cancer, the second most common type of cancer among men is often treated using radiotherapy, which may cause urinary and/or fecal incontinence.
In the study, researchers assessed the effect of Kegel exercises in preventing such incontinence. The study included a total of 60 patients: 30 in a control group that did not practice Kegel exercises and 30 in an experimental group that received individual training on how to perform Kegel exercises. Both groups were assessed weekly for 2 months.
At the end of the first month, there was little difference in the incidence of first-grade urinary incontinence between the control group and the experimental group, 13.3% and 10% respectively. However, at the end of the second month, 6.7% of the control group and only 3.3% of the experimental group had second-grade urinary incontinence. Neither group experienced fecal incontinence.
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Although this study did not find a significant reduction in incontinence compared with the control group, the overall rate of urinary incontinence was lower in the group that practiced Kegel exercises, suggesting a potential benefit. “It has been recommended that Kegel exercises should be performed in larger groups with long-term observations,” noted the study authors.
Read more of Cancer Therapy Advisor‘s coverage of the ESMO annual meeting by visiting the conference page.
Reference
Uravylioglu AE. Effect of Kegel exercises on prevention of urinary and fecal incontinence in patients with prostate cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Presented at: ESMO Congress 2019; September 27-October 1, 2019; Barcelona, Spain. Abstract 1792.
This article originally appeared on Oncology Nurse Advisor
