A protein released by muscles during exercise could be crucial to helping fend off a first bout or recurrence of cancer, especially of the breast.
A study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) suggests that even a single session of resistance training or high intensity interval training (HIIT) may have meaningful effects in the fight against cancer.
The research, led by ECU PhD candidate Francesco Bettariga, focused on the role of myokines — proteins released by muscles during exercise that are known to have anti-cancer properties.
His findings revealed that just one bout of either strength training or HIIT was able to elevate myokine levels, reducing cancer cell growth by as much as 20 to 30 percent.
According to Bettariga, there is already a strong body of evidence that exercise is both safe and beneficial for people undergoing treatment or living beyond cancer.
His work specifically examined breast cancer survivors, measuring their myokine levels before exercise, immediately afterward and again 30 minutes later.
In every case, both forms of exercise caused a noticeable rise in these protective proteins.
Although such outcomes are expected in healthy people following intense activity, Bettariga’s team wanted to see whether survivors — whose bodies may still be affected by cancer and its treatments — would respond in a similar way.
The study showed they did, which strengthens the argument for making structured exercise – even intense forms – a standard part of cancer management.
Bettariga emphasized that while the short-term effects are promising, further research is needed to explore how sustained increases in myokine levels might influence long-term outcomes, including cancer recurrence.
After all, plenty of cancer survivors who engage in what would be considered intense workouts eventually suffer a recurrence and succumb to that.
Beyond Myokines
Beyond myokines, Bettariga has also investigated how exercise-related changes in body composition can alter inflammation, a critical factor in breast cancer recurrence and survival.
Chronic inflammation is known to contribute to tumor progression, impair immune function and increase the likelihood of metastasis.
Since both cancer and its treatments can heighten inflammation, survivors often face elevated risks.
His research points to exercise as an effective strategy: reducing fat mass while increasing lean muscle appears to lower inflammation, creating a less favorable environment for cancer to return.
Simply Losing Weight Is Not the Answer
Bettariga cautions against relying on rapid weight loss approaches that don’t include exercise to the degree that body composition would shift to more lean muscle tissue and less fat tissue.
Even a slow weight loss, in the absence of such exercise, would not be what his research recommends. There needs to be an increase in lean muscle mass.
Thus, merely cutting calories may reduce body weight, make you look better, eliminate some joint pain and allow for more stamina and speed…
But without preserving or building muscle, the benefits to inflammation and cancer risk are lost.
The paper explains the absolute key: Improve body composition through exercise.
Body composition cannot be improved through diet or weight loss alone.
More muscle means more myokines produced during exercise.
Don’t Trade Fear of Bulking Up for Improved Survival Odds
If you’re a breast cancer survivor or survivor of another type of cancer, you should not worry about getting “too muscular.”
Building a noticeably muscled body is NOT EASY, and even many men struggle to achieve this.
On average, women have one-tenth the testosterone production as do men, and this hormone is responsible for building muscle through strength training.
The goal should be to increase muscle tissue while losing body fat – and this does not mean bulking up.
What it does mean is, according to this promising research, a better chance at improving long-term survival from cancer.
How to Improve Your Body Composition
How to Do HIIT: High Intensity Interval Training
