Even Quick Workouts May Slow Cancer Progression

Cancer Sucks: The global cancer burden continues to grow, with the World Health Organization reporting in 2024 that about one in five people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Though medical innovation readily contributes to advances in cancer treatment, it’s clear that (for now) cancer isn’t going anywhere. Luckily, we hold some power in our own hands to prevent it. 

The Study: New research published in the International Journal of Cancer builds upon a growing body of evidence that exercise is one of the most powerful tools in our cancer-prevention arsenal — and it can work in as little as 10 minutes. Physical activity, the researchers found, directly influences gene expression in cancer cells. Participants completed a 10-12-minute intense cycling ride and had their blood drawn before and after. When the researchers then exposed the pre- or post-exercise blood samples to bowel cancer cells, they observed widespread changes in gene activity inside the cancer cells — including ones involved with DNA repair, energy production, and cancer cell growth. These changes suggest the cells were better equipped to fix the genetic damage.

The Takeaway: Movement is incredibly powerful. It not only benefits the healthy tissues in your body, but appears to actively exert a positive influence on damaging cells.

Keep In Mind: The study was small, with only 30 participants, and all of them were overweight or obese. And the researchers are careful to say that these findings do not translate to real-world cancer outcomes yet.