A single workout session produced an anti-cancer effect in breast cancer survivors.
A new study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment shows that one session of resistance training or HIIT can increase levels of anti-cancer myokines and inhibit cancer cell growth by up to 29% in breast cancer survivors.
The participants consisted of 32 women who had survived stage I–III breast cancer. After exercise, the growth of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro was reduced by approximately 20–29% (p < 0.05) compared to pre-exercise samples.
Study snapshot:
- 32 women who survived stage I–III breast cancer
- One session of resistance training or HIIT increased IL-6, decorin, and SPARC
- Cancer cells in the lab grew ~20–29% more slowly after exercise
These findings highlight the potential of exercise as an accessible, non-pharmacological strategy to reduce the risk of recurrence in breast cancer survivors. Including both resistance training and HIIT may provide meaningful benefits, even after just a single workout session.
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