10-Minute Exercise Suppresses Bowel Cancer Growth

Researchers at Newcastle University have discovered that just 10 minutes of vigorous exercise can trigger molecular changes in the bloodstream that suppress bowel cancer cell growth and enhance DNA repair, offering new insights into how physical activity helps prevent the disease.

The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer, involved 30 healthy but overweight or obese volunteers, men and women aged 50 to 78, who completed a short, high-intensity cycling session lasting about 10 minutes. Participants pedaled until reaching near-maximum exertion, after which scientists collected blood samples to analyze 249 proteins. Thirteen proteins showed increased levels post-exercise, including interleukin-6, a molecule that supports DNA repair and reduces inflammation while promoting healthy blood vessel function and metabolism.

Further lab tests exposed bowel cancer cells to the participants' post-exercise blood plasma. This led to shifts in more than 1,300 genes, boosting activity in those related to DNA repair and efficient energy production in mitochondria, while dialing down genes that drive rapid cancer cell proliferation. The findings suggest that even a single bout of...