Breast Cancer Prevention: THIS one exercise could slash the risk of breast cancer; Study finds

Time of India

5 hours ago

Breast cancer, one of the most aggressive cancers in the world, is a disease where malignant cells form in the breast tissue, most commonly in the ducts or lobules. It's the second most common cancer in women in the US and can also affect men, though rarely.
It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally and is the leading cause of cancer death in women. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2022, there were an estimated 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer diagnosed worldwide, resulting in approximately 670,000 deaths.
In 2025, it's estimated that approximately 316,950 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, along with 2,800 men.
It remains a significant global health concern, as approximately 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer are expected worldwide, with a substantial number of deaths attributed to the disease. The global burden is projected to rise, with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimating 3.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths annually by 2050 if current trends continue.
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But imagine a simple daily routine, one powerful exercise, that could dramatically lower your risk of breast cancer!
A new study is showing hope, with nothing but just 45 minutes of exercise!
Read on to know more.
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What the study says
The new study suggests, a single workout might do more than improve fitness by activating the body's own cancer-fighting forces.
Published in
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
, in the new study of 32 breast cancer survivors, researchers found that a 45-minute session of either resistance training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) led to a rapid increase in special proteins called myokines. In lab tests, these proteins slowed the growth of breast cancer cells by up to 30%.
'The results from the study show that both types of exercise really work to produce these anti-cancer myokines in breast cancer survivors,' said lead author Francesco Bettariga, an exercise researcher at Edith Cowan University in Australia, as reported by Science Alert. He added, 'The results from this study are excellent motivators to add exercise as standard care in the treatment of cancer.'
What the researchers did
Participants were split into two workout groups:
Resistance training:
chest presses, seated rows, shoulder presses, lat pulldowns, leg presses, leg extensions, leg curls, and lunges.
HIIT:
sessions on the stationary bike, treadmill, rowing machine, and cross-trainer.
Blood samples were taken before exercise, immediately after, and 30 minutes later. In both groups, researchers saw a short-term spike in three key myokines: decorin, IL-6, and SPARC.
What are myokines (and why do they matter)
Myokines are messenger proteins released by skeletal muscles during exercise. They help with muscle repair, fat burning, and reducing inflammation.
But here's the exciting part: previous research has shown that myokines can also slow tumor growth. Until now, most of this evidence came from lab and animal studies, and it wasn't clear if the same effect could happen in cancer survivors.
Even aggressive cancer cells responded
One surprising finding involved triple-negative breast cancer cells. These cells lack hormone receptors and are usually unaffected by hormonal changes from exercise.
Yet Bettariga's team found that myokines from both workouts still reduced their growth in lab tests.
'Our findings demonstrate that both resistance training and high-intensity interval training elicit acute changes in circulating myokines and reduced cancer cell growth, which may contribute to proposed biological pathways involved in cancer control,' the authors explained.
'However, further research is needed to determine the long-term relevance of these responses for disease recurrence in breast cancer survivors.'
What is HIIT?
Think of it like an exercise with short bursts of vigorous activity: small time, big impact. HIIT, or High-Intensity Interval Training, is a workout method that alternates between short, intense bursts of exercise and brief recovery periods. It's a time-efficient way to improve cardiovascular fitness, burn calories, and boost metabolism. HIIT workouts typically involve activities like sprinting, jumping, or weightlifting at a fast pace, followed by periods of rest or low-intensity activity.
Examples of HIIT workouts include sprinting, burpees, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, and squat jumps, often combined with periods of jogging or rest. HIIT workouts can be tailored to various fitness levels and can be performed with or without equipment, such as stationary bikes, treadmills, or bodyweight exercises.
HIIT workouts work by rapidly increasing your heart rate during the intense intervals and then allowing it to come down during the recovery periods.
This process challenges your cardiovascular system and can lead to improved heart health, increased calorie burn, and enhanced metabolism.
Why this could change cancer care
This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting exercise could be more than just a safe activity for cancer survivors; it might be part of the treatment itself.
While this study only looked at short-term effects, the results raise important questions: Could regular exercise help keep cancer from returning? Could it make other treatments more effective?
The takeaway for cancer survivors
For now, experts recommend including some form of physical activity, whether it's strength training, HIIT, or even brisk walking, into weekly routines. Not only does it improve overall health, but as this study suggests, it could also activate hidden cancer-fighting abilities in the body.
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