Exercise can reduce cancer cell growth by up to 30%, research says

Here’s another reason to pick up those weights, head to the park, and get moving.

Exercise remains one of the most vital yet frequently overlooked habits. The demands of daily life and the discipline it requires often push fitness to the sidelines, even though its benefits for physical and mental well-being are well known. But what if staying active could do more than boost your mood and strengthen your body — what if it could also significantly reduce your risk of cancer?

A recent study from Edith Cowan University suggests exactly that, revealing that even a single workout — whether resistance training or high-intensity exercise — can help slow the growth of cancer cells.

Published in the Breast Cancer Research and Treatment journal by the National Institutes of Health, the research aims to lower mortality rates from breast cancer.

“We examined the effects of a single bout of resistance training (RT) versus high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on anti-cancer myokines and in vitro cancer cell suppression,” the study stated.

The study concluded: “A single bout of RT or HIIT can increase levels of anti-cancer myokines and reduce the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro in survivors of breast cancer, potentially contributing to a lower risk of recurrence. This highlights the importance of exercise as a treatment with promising anti-cancer effects.”

Researchers found that anti-cancer proteins produced during exercise slowed cancer cell growth by 20-30%. Exercise strengthens the immune system, helping it fight abnormal cells that could turn cancerous, and reduces inflammation — a key factor in cancer cell development.

PhD researcher Francesco Bettariga explained that while inflammation promotes tumor progression and weakens the immune system, consistent exercise can help manage this risk.

“If we are able to improve body composition, we have a better chance of decreasing inflammation because we are improving lean mass and reducing fat mass, which is responsible for releasing anti- and pro-inflammatory markers,” Bettariga said.