Cancer remains one of India’s biggest health challenges. With rising incidence of breast, colorectal, and lung cancers, survival depends not only on early treatment but also on prevention and supportive
care.
A new study, published last month, reveals that even a single, intense workout session can trigger molecular changes that suppress the growth of cancer cells.
A study of breast cancer survivors who had completed treatment showed that just 45 minutes of either high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or resistance training (RT) led to increases in certain muscle-derived proteins—called myokines—that were able to reduce cancer cell growth in lab tests. These findings add to growing evidence that exercise is not just good for wellness, but might directly fight cancer at a biochemical level.
“Our work shows that exercise can directly influence cancer biology, suppressing tumour growth through powerful molecular signals,” said Robert Newton, the deputy director of the Exercise Medicine Research Institute at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, and senior author of the new study, as quoted by The Washington Post.
What Does The Study Reveal About Exercise?
Researchers recruited 32 breast cancer survivors. None were exercising regularly at the time. They were medically cleared for physical activity post-treatment.
They were randomly assigned to one of two exercise modes:
Resistance Training (RT): Lifting weights or doing strength exercises targeting major muscle groups.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Short bursts of very intense effort alternated with rest or lighter activity.
Each session lasted about 45 minutes, including warm-up and cool-down. Participants’ effort was high: Around 7-9 on a scale of 1-10. Blood samples were taken before exercise, immediately after, and again 30 minutes later.
How Exercise Suppress Cancer Cells Growth
Myokines rise rapidly. Immediately after and 30 minutes post exercise, levels of myokines such as IL-6, SPARC, decorin—proteins released by muscles—were significantly higher compared to before exercise. HIIT prompted particularly strong spikes.
Cancer cell growth fell. When lab-grown breast cancer cells (a particularly aggressive type) were exposed to serum (blood fluid) from participants after exercise, their growth was suppressed by around 20-30%. The effect was noticeable immediately and also half an hour later. HIIT tended to produce slightly stronger suppression than RT in many measures.
Why This Matters For India
Cost and accessibility: Medical treatments can be expensive. A single workout—properly guided and supervised—can be an inexpensive addition to recovery routines. For many Indian patients, especially in Tier-2 or Tier-3 cities where health infrastructure is more stretched, this kind of intervention could be game changing.
High burden of breast cancer: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among Indian women. Roughly 221,579 new cases of breast cancer were detected in Indian women in 2023. The number has been steadily increasing since 2019, especially in women in the age group of 24-49. Many patients finish primary treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) and are left with fear of recurrence. Exercise could offer an additional defence, the new study suggests.
Lifestyle shifts: Urban India has seen rising sedentary lifestyles, increasing rates of obesity, and metabolic disorders like diabetes—all of which heighten cancer risk. Integrating high-intensity or resistance exercise may help improve overall health, reduce inflammation, and perhaps even lower future cancer burden.
Cultural challenges: Encouraging survivors to do high intensity workouts will require attention to safety, culturally acceptable forms of exercise, awareness, and support. In many Indian contexts, women may also face constraints—access to gyms, safety, time, family support. Policies and guidance will matter.
How Much Exercise Is Enough?
While this study shows impressive results with just one session, there are caveats:
The exercise must be moderate to high intensity. Gentle walks or mild stretching probably will not trigger the same sharp myokine response. The effect seen in this study was linked to strong effort.
The suppression was observed in lab conditions (in vitro). That is, cancer cells in Petri dishes exposed to blood serum. It is not yet proven that one session directly alters tumour behaviour in a person—but the lab results suggest pathways through which exercise helps.
Repeated exercise over time likely has stronger and more durable benefits. One session is a powerful signal—but consistency matters.
What Does This Mean For Prevention, Treatment, Survival?
Prevention: For healthy individuals, regular moderate to high intensity exercise is already recommended. This study reinforces the idea that such exercise may act like a medicine—helping reduce risk of certain types of cancer, perhaps by altering hormone, immune, and inflammation pathways.
Survivorship: For people who have gone through treatment, combining medical follow-up with exercise programmes could help reduce chances of cancer recurrence. Hospitals and clinics in India may need to integrate exercise prescription more formally—possibly under the guidance of oncologists and physiotherapists.
Guidelines And Public Policy: Findings could shape public health messaging in India. Just telling survivors to be active may not be enough—it could help if they are provided with clear protocols (what sort of exercise, how intense, how frequently), safe spaces, support, and monitoring.
Research Required: More studies among Indian populations, varying cancer types and stages, different age groups, comorbidities, and fitness levels, are required. Also, long-term follow up to see whether short-term suppression seen in lab results translates into fewer recurrences or slower tumour growth in survivors.
What Not To Expect?
Exercise is not a substitute for medical therapy. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy remain crucial. Exercise should be seen as an adjunct, a complement—not a replacement.
Intense exercise may not be safe for everyone. Older patients, those with heart disease, severe treatment side effects, or other health issues need medical clearance.
There is a risk of overhype. Public may misinterpret that “one exercise session cures cancer”—this is far from proven. What is shown is suppression in lab settings, not guaranteed outcomes in human tumours.
Put simply, muscles under stress produce signalling molecules (myokines), which travel through blood and have effects beyond muscle—they modulate inflammation, immune response, and can directly affect cancer cells in lab growth assays. Key myokines in this work include IL-6, SPARC, decorin, OSM, among others.
Exercise may also reduce growth-promoting factors such as insulin levels, decrease chronic inflammation, improve body composition (more muscle, less fat), all of which create a less hospitable environment for cancer growth.
What Should Indian Cancer Survivors Do Now?
Consult an oncologist or a medical team before starting or intensifying exercise routines, especially if dealing with post-surgical recovery, chemotherapy side effects, lymphedema, or other health issues.
Start gradually. Even if high intensity shows stronger effects, begin with moderate resistance training or brisk walking, then build up intensity as fitness improves.
Include both strength and cardio. This study suggests combining resistance movements (weights, body weight) and HIIT-style cardio may offer better stimulatory response of these beneficial myokines.
Monitor safety and recovery. Ensure good rest, nutrition, hydration. Watch for injury; avoid overtraining.
Make it a habit. One single workout has its benefits, but long-term changes in lifestyle are likely to yield lasting results: lower recurrence risk, improved mood, better quality of life.
What To Conclude
This new study adds a powerful chapter to the growing idea that exercise does much more than build muscles or control weight—it sends signals through the body that may directly suppress cancer cell growth. For India, where both cancer incidence and survivorship are rising, it offers hope: accessible, low-cost, side-effect-free support that anyone might use.
Though it is too soon to say a single workout “stops” cancer. What is clear is that the scientific community is looking more closely at physical activity not just as wellness, but as therapy. For cancer survivors, exercising under guidance might be one of the simplest, yet most potent tools available.
