Scientists from Edith Cowan University in Australia have discovered that even a single workout session can help the body fight cancer.
The research, led by PhD student Francesco Bettariga, found that one session of resistance training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) could trigger the release of special proteins from muscles, called myokines.
These proteins have anti-cancer properties and may slow the growth of cancer cells by up to 20 to 30 percent.
Myokines are natural substances made by muscles when we exercise. They travel through the bloodstream and can influence how different organs work. In recent years, scientists have discovered that myokines can play a role in fighting diseases, including cancer.
Exercise has already been shown to be safe and effective for people living with cancer, both during treatment and after recovery. However, most research has focused on regular, long-term exercise programs. This new study wanted to see if even one workout could make a difference.
The researchers worked with women who had survived breast cancer. They tested myokine levels before exercise, right after exercise, and again 30 minutes later. The results showed that both resistance training and HIIT caused a clear rise in myokine levels.
While scientists already knew that healthy people produce more myokines after a workout, it was not clear whether cancer survivors, whose bodies may be affected by the illness and its treatments, would respond the same way. This study confirmed that they do.
Bettariga believes this is strong evidence for making exercise a standard part of cancer treatment plans. If exercise can produce these powerful proteins even in a single session, it might help the body fight cancer more effectively.
He also pointed out that more research is needed to find out if regularly increasing myokine levels could lower the chances of cancer coming back.
In another part of his research, Bettariga looked at how body composition – the balance of muscle and fat – affects inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a natural immune response, but too much of it for too long can be harmful.
In breast cancer survivors, high levels of inflammation can encourage cancer cells to grow and spread, as well as weaken the immune system. This increases the risk of cancer returning and can shorten life expectancy.
The research found that consistent exercise helps reduce body fat and build muscle, which in turn lowers harmful inflammation. This creates a less favorable environment for cancer to develop or return.
Fat tissue can release chemicals that promote inflammation, while muscle tissue can release substances that help control it. This means that gaining muscle and losing fat can be a powerful combination for improving long-term health after cancer.
However, Bettariga warns against trying to lose weight through diet alone. While eating healthily is important, quick weight loss without exercise can reduce muscle mass, which means losing the benefits of myokines and other protective substances produced during physical activity.
He emphasizes that exercise is essential not just for burning calories, but for building and maintaining muscle, which plays a direct role in protecting against cancer.
In summary, this research shows that exercise is not only important for general health but could be a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. Even a single workout can trigger changes in the body that may slow cancer growth, and long-term exercise can help create a body environment that is less friendly to cancer cells.
These findings suggest that doctors and healthcare providers should strongly encourage cancer patients and survivors to make exercise a regular part of their lives, alongside other treatments.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about Research finds a new cause of cancer growth and findings of Scientists find the missing link between autoimmune diseases and blood cancer.
For more information about cancer, please read studies about A common blood thinner can help fight cancer and findings of Heavy alcohol drinking is common in cancer patients.
The study is published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.
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