Recent research has highlighted that a single session of resistance training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can potentially decrease cancer proliferation by 20 to 30 per cent. Bettariga, a key researcher, emphasised the growing recognition of exercise as a therapeutic tool in cancer management. Substantial evidence supports the safety and efficacy of physical activity as a form of treatment, both during and after cancer therapy.
The study specifically focused on breast cancer survivors, examining myokine levels—proteins produced by muscles during exercise—before, immediately after, and thirty minutes subsequent to a HIIT session. Findings revealed that both forms of exercise led to notable increases in myokine levels. While it’s typical for healthy individuals to exhibit elevated myokines following rigorous exercise, Bettariga sought to understand if this phenomenon held true for breast cancer survivors, who may be affected differently due to the nature of their condition and its treatment.
Bettariga remarked that the outcomes indicate both exercise modalities effectively stimulate the production of anti-cancer myokines in these survivors. The implications of these findings are encouraging, suggesting that integrating exercise into standard cancer care could significantly benefit patients. He also pointed out the importance of further research into the long-term effects of elevated myokine levels, especially regarding the risk of cancer recurrence.
Overall, the results serve as a compelling argument for including exercise as part of comprehensive cancer treatment plans.