A Single Exercise Session May Boost Cancer Treatment Outcomes

Recent research from Edith Cowan University highlights how a single session of resistance or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can produce anti-cancer effects, offering promising support for cancer patients. The study, published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, investigated the impact of just one bout of exercise on breast cancer survivors.

Ph.D. student Francesco Bettariga found that engaging in either resistance training or HIIT elevates the levels of myokines—proteins released by muscles that have notable anti-cancer properties. These increased myokine levels have been linked to a reduction in cancer cell proliferation by approximately 20% to 30%. Bettariga emphasized that exercise is emerging as a viable therapeutic intervention, both during and after cancer treatment, owing to its safety and effectiveness.

The study measured myokine concentrations in breast cancer survivors immediately before, right after, and 30 minutes following the exercise sessions. Interestingly, the results showed that both vigorous resistance and HIIT routines significantly boost anti-cancer myokine levels in survivors. Although higher levels are typically seen in healthy populations post-exercise, the fact that cancer survivors respond similarly underscores exercise's potential as an integral part of cancer care.

Bettariga suggests these findings could motivate the integration of structured exercise programs into standard cancer treatment protocols. Nonetheless, he also advises further research to explore the long-term effects of sustained elevated myokines, especially concerning cancer recurrence.

Additionally, ongoing research in Bettariga's lab, published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship, examines how exercise-induced changes in body composition might influence inflammation—a key factor in cancer recurrence. Reducing fat mass and increasing lean muscle through consistent physical activity appears to foster an environment less conducive to tumor growth. Since inflammation affects cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis, managing it through improved body composition could significantly lower the risk of relapse and mortality in breast cancer survivors.

It is important to note that these benefits are best achieved through regular exercise combined with muscle preservation, rather than rapid weight loss strategies, which do not promote muscle maintenance and may be less effective in reducing inflammation.

This emerging evidence supports the notion that even a single session of targeted exercise can have profound anti-cancer effects, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches that complement existing treatments.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-bout-results-cancer-patients.html