A single workout may help the body fight breast cancer, according to new research from Edith Cowan University in Australia.
In a study of 32 breast cancer survivors, researchers found that a 45-minute session of either resistance training or high-intensity interval training triggered a surge of proteins in the blood that can suppress tumor growth. These proteins, called myokines, are released by muscles during exercise and are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
When researchers introduced these exercise-induced myokines to breast cancer cell samples in the laboratory, tumor growth was reduced by up to 30%.
“Our results show that both forms of exercise are effective at producing anti-cancer myokines in breast cancer survivors,” said lead author Francesco Bettariga, an exercise researcher at Edith Cowan University. “This provides strong motivation to include exercise as part of standard cancer care.”
The team measured blood samples before exercise, immediately after, and 30 minutes post-workout. Participants in the resistance training group completed chest presses, seated rows, shoulder presses, lat pulldowns, leg presses, leg extensions, leg curls, and lunges. The high-intensity group performed intervals on the stationary bike, treadmill, rowing machine, and cross-trainer.
Both regimens boosted levels of three specific myokines—decorin, IL-6, and SPARC—all previously linked to tumor suppression in preclinical studies. Until now, it was unclear whether these effects occurred in cancer survivors.
Importantly, the study also tested triple-negative breast cancer cells, which lack hormone receptors and were not expected to respond to hormonal changes from exercise. Yet, even these aggressive cells were impacted by the myokines.
The authors note that while the short-term results are promising, more research is needed to determine whether repeated exercise can reduce the risk of recurrence in breast cancer survivors over the long term.
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