The STAMINA (lifestyle modification in prostate cancer) Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Sustained exercise TrAining for Men wIth prostate caNcer on Androgen deprivation: the STAMINA programme
IRAS ID
178340
Contact name
Derek J Rosario
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
Prostate cancer is common in men, with similar incidence/mortality rates to breast cancer in women. Approximately 1/2 of all men with prostate cancer are treated by castration, the medical form of which is referred to as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), at some stage. ADT is associated with serious adverse effects on quality of life (fatigue and reduced physical functioning), increased risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Improving quality of life for cancer survivors is a Department of Health priority.
Recent NICE guidelines on prostate cancer (CG 175) recommend 12 weeks supervised exercise in men on ADT, based on strong evidence showing improved quality of life and reduced fatigue. Evidence regarding benefit arises from specialist units rather than a community or NHS-setting, thus generating considerable uncertainty as to whether the necessary skills, facilities and infrastructure are available and whether the NICE recommendation will result in an effective intervention. Although the infrastructure exists in principle, the feasibility of involving the treating Urologist/oncologist/ cancer nurse specialist in this aspect of supporting patient care has not been ascertained or tested.
We have secured an NIHR programme development grant to begin to explore some of the issues related to integrating exercise programmes in men with prostate cancer in the NHS. There are three works packages (referred to as ’work streams’) involved in this development grant. We have been advised by our sponsor that workstream 1 (a survey) does not require NHS approvals. However, we are seeking approval for workstreams 2 and 3 described briefly below:
Workstream 2. Interviewing health care professionals about being involved in integrating exercise programmes as part of standard cancer care pathway.
Workstream 3. Focus groups asking men with prostate cancer their views on this subject to ensure the intervention is tested in the most appropriate setting.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0260
Date of REC Opinion
24 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion