Short Workouts May Slow Bowel Cancer Growth

A recent study suggests that a brief ten-minute workout could inhibit the growth of bowel cancer. Researchers from Newcastle University have found that engaging in physical activity might protect against the progression of this type of cancer, noting that even short bursts of exercise can lead to immediate changes at the molecular level in the blood.

In their study published in the Journal of Cancer, the team collected blood samples from 30 overweight or obese men, all of whom were otherwise healthy. These samples were taken before and after a cycling session lasting between 10 to 12 minutes. The researchers then exposed bowel cancer cells to these different blood samples and assessed the cells’ reactions.

They discovered that this quick exercise resulted in an increase in 13 proteins in the blood, many of which are associated with reduced inflammation, improved blood vessel function, and enhanced metabolism.

Furthermore, when they applied the post-exercise blood to the bowel cancer cells, they observed changes in 1,364 genes related to energy production, DNA repair, and cancer cell growth.

Interestingly, a previous study indicated that exercise might be more effective than medication for enhancing recovery from bowel cancer. The team thinks their findings might explain this phenomenon.

Dr. Sam Orange, who led the study and is a senior lecturer in clinical exercise physiology at Newcastle University, stated, “Exercise not only benefits healthy tissues; it sends significant signals through the bloodstream that can directly impact thousands of genes in cancer cells.” He added that these insights could lead to new therapies mimicking the beneficial effects of exercise on cellular repair and energy use.

He further emphasized, “These findings suggest that exercise may create a less favorable environment for cancer cells to thrive. Even just one workout can have a positive impact. A single session, lasting merely ten minutes, sends powerful signals throughout the body.”

Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of the charity Bowel Cancer UK, acknowledged extensive research that shows physically active individuals have a lower risk for bowel cancer and other cancers. She recommends aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.

Bowel cancer stands as the fourth most prevalent cancer in the UK, with around 44,000 new diagnoses yearly. It can emerge anywhere in the large bowel, including both the colon and rectum.

This study supports a growing body of evidence highlighting the beneficial role of exercise in preventing and treating bowel cancer. Previous research indicates that increased physical activity during mornings and evenings could reduce bowel cancer risk by 11 percent.

A team from the University of Regensburg in Germany analyzed data from the UK Biobank involving 86,252 individuals aged 42 to 79 who tracked their physical activity through a device known as an accelerometer. Over a follow-up period of 5.3 years, 529 bowel cancer cases were documented.

The researchers categorized physical activity into four patterns: continuous day-long activity, late-day activity, morning and evening activity, and noon and night activity.

The findings, published in BMC Medicine, revealed that having two peak activity times at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, adding benefits beyond overall physical activity levels.