- Even short bursts of exercise impact cancer risk, according to a study.
- It may change how colon cancer cells behave.
- Here’s what you need to know about the latest research.
We already know that some exercise is better than none when it comes to staying healthy. But, there may be even more benefits to fitting just 10 minutes of movement into your daily routine. According to new research, even a short burst of exercise might lower cancer risk.
In a recent small study published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers found that a single, brief bout of intense exercise led to immediate changes in blood that affected how colon cancer cells behaved in the lab.
Scientists recruited 30 adult participants classified as overweight or obese and asked them to complete a short session of vigorous physical activity—specifically, high-intensity interval-style cycling—lasting about 10 minutes. Blood samples were collected both before and right after the workout. Researchers then isolated the liquid portion of blood (also known as the serum) and exposed it to lab-grown colon cancer cells.
They found that blood collected after exercise triggered widespread changes in gene activity inside the cancer cells. In particular, genes involved in DNA repair became more active, suggesting these cells were better equipped to fix genetic damage. At the same time, other changes hinted at reduced signals tied to uncontrolled cell growth, a hallmark of cancer.
Study authors noted that these results suggest that even brief exercise quickly changes the makeup of the blood in ways that affect how cancer cells behave—at least under controlled laboratory conditions.
To be clear, what the study doesn’t show is that exercise treats or prevents cancer directly. But it does offer insight into how physical activity may help lower cancer risk over time. It also lines up with previous research that has consistently linked regular exercise with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, while also supporting claims that brief, intense activity can still produce meaningful health effects.
Still, the researchers caution that their findings don’t translate directly to real-world cancer outcomes yet. While there is a hope that a deeper understanding of these mechanisms could help lead to new developments in treatment for colorectal cancer, it’s important to note that the experiments were performed on cancer cells grown in dishes, not inside the human body. The study also didn’t track long-term cancer risk.
Even so, the results help explain why movement matters and why even small amounts of exercise make a difference—possibly more than we even realize. It’s an encouraging outcome for those who struggle to fit lengthy workouts into their day, and a reminder that engaging in even a little bit of physical activity is always going to be better than doing none at all.
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