Exercise is not only a way to live a healthy life; it can also be very important in the fight against cancer.

Emerging research has unveiled how physical activity actively combats tumor cells, literally contributing to the destruction of cancer. 

This connection is built on several biological mechanisms, all of which underline the importance of exercise for individuals diagnosed with cancer as well as those seeking to prevent it.

Let’s explore how exercise fights tumor cells and stops cancer growth in the body. 

How Exercise Kills Cancer Cells: The Role of Myokines

When we exercise, our muscles release cancer-fighting molecules called myokines. 

These myokines circulate throughout the body and help destroy tumor cells by breaking down their defenses and triggering apoptosis (programmed cell death). 

Myokines play a role in the following:

Reducing tumor inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a known catalyst for tumor growth. The anti-inflammatory properties of myokines target and reduce this inflammation, making the environment hostile for cancer cells to thrive.

Direct attack on tumor cells

Myokines interfere with tumor cell signaling, hindering the cells’ ability to grow and proliferate. Some myokines even promote the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack tumor cells.

Stopping tumor blood supply

Another critical action of myokines is their role in reducing angiogenesis, the process by which tumors create new blood vessels to fuel their growth. Myokines keep this process from happening, which means cancer cells do not get the nutrients they need.

These findings suggest that regular exercise activates biological agents that fight tumors at the cellular level, preventing cancer progression.

Exercise Increases Blood Flow to Target Cancer Cells

Another remarkable way exercise targets cancer is by increasing blood circulation throughout the body. 

This increased blood flow doesn’t just benefit your muscles and organs; it also plays a crucial role in combating circulating tumor cells (CTCs).

CTCs are cells that have broken away from a tumor and travel through the bloodstream, with the potential to create new tumors in distant organs (a process known as metastasis).

When you engage in physical activity, the force of blood flow exerts shear stress on these circulating cells. Studies have shown that this shear stress can destroy tumor cells in the bloodstream, effectively reducing their ability to settle in new locations and spread cancer.

Research conducted by Li et al. (2023) found that exercise-induced shear stress in the bloodstream may directly contribute to the destruction of CTCs, limiting their ability to metastasize.

Exercise helps prevent and control cancer by disrupting cancer cell growth.

Consistent Exercise Starves Cancer Cells of Glucose

Cancer cells are notorious for their high demand for glucose (sugar), which they use as fuel to sustain their rapid growth. 

Exercise helps regulate glucose metabolism in the body, a vital factor in cancer suppression. 

Here’s how:

Lowering Blood Sugar Levels: Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity, which leads to lower blood sugar levels. Cancer cells need glucose for energy, so depriving them can slow or stop growth.

Burning Energy Efficiently: Regular exercise enhances the body’s efficiency in using glucose, leaving less available fuel for cancer cells. By improving metabolic regulation, exercise cuts off one of cancer’s main energy sources.

This metabolic impact shows how lifestyle changes like regular exercise can starve cancer cells, which is important for cancer patients and survivors.

How Exercise Enhances The Immune System

Physical activity doesn’t just affect metabolism and circulation—it also bolsters the immune system, which plays a central role in identifying and eliminating cancer cells. 

Exercise stimulates the production of immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells, which are known for their ability to detect and destroy tumor cells.

Exercise makes the body’s natural defenses against cancer stronger by making immune cells work better.

Additionally, research suggests that regular physical activity can help:

Increase White Blood Cell Count: White blood cells are the body’s frontline defenders against infections and abnormal cells like cancer. Exercise increases their circulation, ensuring they are more available to target and eliminate tumor cells.

Boost Antioxidant Levels: Physical activity also encourages the production of antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress, a factor that can contribute to cancer cell formation.

In this way, regular exercise becomes a natural immune booster, strengthening the body’s capacity to detect and destroy cancerous cells before they can multiply and spread.

The Impact of Aerobic Exercise on Tumor Growth

Aerobic exercise, including activities like jogging, cycling, and swimming, has shown promise in mitigating tumor growth. 

Studies have demonstrated that aerobic exercise can regulate proteins linked to inflammation and tumor development, specifically non-platelet platelet factor 4 (PF4). Limiting the amount of PF4 in the body through aerobic exercise helps shrink tumors and stop them from spreading.

This research indicates that aerobic exercise not only helps manage cancer symptoms but may also actively inhibit cancer progression by directly affecting tumor biology. 

Moreover, aerobic exercise is associated with a reduction in splenomegaly, a condition characterized by the enlargement of the spleen, which often occurs in cancer patients due to inflammation.

Aerobic exercise can improve cancer patients’ quality of life and slow tumor progression by addressing the tumor and its symptoms.

How Much Exercise is Needed to Reap These Benefits?

The question that naturally arises is: how much exercise is required to experience these cancer-fighting benefits? While individual needs may vary, the general consensus among health experts suggests that 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week (or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise) is a good baseline. 

This equates to roughly 30 minutes of physical activity, five days a week.

For cancer patients or those at risk, it’s essential to focus on a combination of aerobic exercises (such as walking, swimming, or cycling) and resistance training (such as weightlifting or bodyweight exercises) to maximize the cancer-fighting benefits of physical activity.

 Always consult with a healthcare professional to tailor an exercise plan that meets your specific needs.

Closing Thoughts

Exercise is not just a preventive measure; it is an active treatment that fights cancer at multiple levels.

Physical activity is a complete way to fight cancer because it releases myokines that kill cancer cells, improves glucose metabolism that starves tumors, and increases blood flow that kills circulating tumor cells. 

The evidence is mounting, and it is clear that exercise plays a vital role in reducing cancer risk and improving survival rates for those already diagnosed.

♡ Love ♡,

Schellea.

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References

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Wang, Y., Zhang, Q., Ma, Y., et al. (2023). Aerobic exercise training mitigates tumor growth and splenomegaly by regulating non-platelet platelet factor 4. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 47217. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-47217-2

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