New research from Edith Cowan University shows that just one session of resistance training or high-intensity interval training can significantly benefit cancer survivors. The study fund that a single workout increases myokines—muscle-produced proteins with anti-cancer properties—which can reduce cancer cell growth by 20-30%.
The study measured myokine levels in breast cancer survivors before, immediately after, and 30 minutes post-exercise, finding that both types of training effectively boosted these protective proteins. This is significant because cancer treatments often weaken the body’s natural responses.
Further research revealed that consistent exercise also fights cancer by improving body composition—reducing fat mass while increasing lean muscle mass. This change decreases harmful inflammation that can promote tumor growth, recurrence, and mortality in breast cancer survivors.
The key finding: exercise must be part of the equation. Simply dieting to lose weight without exercising won’t provide the same anti-cancer benefits, as muscle activity is essential for producing protective myokines.
The research supports adding structured exercise as standard cancer care, though more studies are needed to understand the long-term effects on cancer recurrence.