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Exercising for just 10 minutes can halt bowel cancer growth and speed up DNA damage repair, new research has found.
Even a short bout of exercise can trigger a rapid molecular change in the blood that helps stave off tumour progression, say scientists.
While the underlying biological mechanism ‘remains unclear’, researchers say the finding is further proof that physical activity can slow the spread of bowel cancer.
More than 44,000 people in Britain are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year—making it the fourth most common cancer in the country.
And while overall rates are stable or have declined slightly in older age groups, cases among younger adults are increasing.
The disease—which also claimed the life of Dame Deborah James at the age of 40—has surged by 50 per cent in under-50s over the past three decades, leaving experts baffled.
But a growing body of evidence suggests that exercise could be the key to slashing the risk of dying from the disease—or even preventing it in the first place.
A groundbreaking new paper from researchers at the University of Newcastle examined the blood samples of 30 overweight or obese—but otherwise healthy— men.
The participants had blood taken before and immediately after a 10-12 minute exercise session, in this case in the form of a cycling test.
The samples were then exposed to bowel cancer cells in a laboratory.
In all cases, the researchers found, intense exercise increased the concentration of 13 proteins in the blood linked to reducing inflammation, improving blood vessel function, and metabolism.
When applied to bowel cancer cells, these exercise-induced molecules actually changed the cancer’s genetic makeup—boosting the genes involved in DNA repair and energy production, and halting those responsible for cancer cell growth.
Writing in the International Journal of Cancer, the research team said their finding offers a ‘potential mechanistic explanation for the protective effects of exercise against’ bowel cancer.
Dr Sam Orange, senior lecturer in clinical exercise physiology at Newcastle University and the study’s lead author, said: ‘What’s remarkable is that exercise doesn’t just benefit healthy tissues, it sends powerful signals through the bloodstream that can directly influence thousands of genes in cancer cells.
‘It’s an exciting insight because it opens the door to find ways that mimic or augment the biological effects of exercise, potentially improving cancer treatment and, crucially, patient outcomes.
‘In the future, these insights could lead to new therapies that imitate the beneficial effects of exercise on how cells repair damaged DNA and use fuel for energy.
‘These results suggest that exercise doesn’t just benefit healthy tissues, it may also create a more hostile environment for cancer cells to grow.
‘Even a single workout can make a difference. One bout of exercise, lasting just 10 minutes, sends powerful signals to the body.
‘It’s a reminder that every step, every session, counts when it comes to doing your best to protect your health.’
It comes months after a world-first trial spanning six nations, including the UK, Canada and Australia, saw hundreds of bowel cancer patients cut their risk of death by more than a third just by taking up an exercise programme.
Published at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual conference in Chicago last year, the research revealed that just 20 minutes of exercise a day slashes the risk of dying of bowel cancer as effectively as a drug.
To demonstrate this, researchers at the University of British Columbia divided trial participants in half—offering some fortnightly advice sessions with personal trainers for the first six months, and monthly thereafter, while others were merely given leaflets about healthy living.
After five years, those exercising every day were 28 per cent less likely to have died or see their cancer grow or return.
By eight years, their risk of dying was 37 per cent lower—for every 14 participants, exercise prevented one from dying.
Genevieve Edwards, chief executive at the charity Bowel Cancer UK, said: ‘Extensive research shows that people who are more physically active have a lower risk of bowel cancer as well as many other cancers.
‘We should be aiming for at least 150 minutes of activity each week, such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming.
‘Other changes you can make to help reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer include eating plenty of fibre from whole grains, pulses, fruits, and vegetables, avoiding processed meat and limiting red meat, being a healthy body weight, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol.
‘Making lifestyle changes can be a challenge, but we believe it’s worth the effort.’
