Research results have shown that just 10 minutes of short, high-intensity exercise a day can suppress the growth of colon cancer cells and promote the repair of damaged DNA. It has been experimentally confirmed that exercise does not merely enhance physical fitness but sends molecular signals that change the genetic activity of cancer cells through blood flow.
A research team from Newcastle University in the UK conducted a study involving 30 men and women aged 50 to 78. All participants were healthy adults with no special diseases, but they were known to be at risk for colon cancer due to being overweight or obese. They performed about 10 minutes of high-intensity cycling exercise, and the researchers collected blood samples before and after exercise to analyze 249 proteins.
The results showed a significant increase in the concentrations of several small molecules related to inflammation reduction, improved vascular function, and metabolic regulation in the blood immediately after exercise. When the researchers exposed this altered blood to colon cancer cells in the laboratory, extensive changes were observed in the activity of over 1,300 genes related to DNA damage repair, energy production, and cancer cell proliferation.
The research team stated that these results explain the biological mechanisms by which exercise lowers the risk of colon cancer at the molecular level. In particular, it was analyzed that the suppression of gene pathways regulating tumor growth and genomic instability created an environment where cancer cells find it difficult to grow.
Dr. Samuel Orange, a clinical exercise physiologist leading the research at Newcastle University, explained, "Exercise is not only beneficial to healthy tissues but can also send powerful signals through blood flow that directly affect the activity of thousands of genes within cancer cells."
He added, "This opens up the possibility of developing therapeutic strategies that can mimic or amplify these biological effects, which could lead to new cancer treatment approaches that regulate DNA repair and energy metabolism."
The research team also confirmed that exercise increases the activity of genes that help mitochondrial energy metabolism, aiding cells in using oxygen more efficiently. Conversely, gene activity related to rapid cell growth was suppressed, suggesting a potential reduction in the aggressiveness of cancer cells.
Moreover, the blood after exercise activated a key DNA repair gene called PNKP, enhancing the ability to repair damaged genomes. It was found that the concentrations of up to 13 proteins, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), significantly increased during this process.
Dr. Orange emphasized, "Even a single short exercise sends powerful molecular signals throughout the body, reinforcing the fact that all exercise is meaningful for health protection."
Colon cancer, which has a high incidence rate in the country, can reduce risk through lifestyle corrections such as exercise
Colon cancer is one of the major cancers with a high incidence rate in the country. According to data released by the Central Cancer Registry in 2024, colon cancer accounted for 11.8% of all cancers in 2022, ranking second.
According to the National Cancer Information Center, the main risk factors for colon cancer include lifestyle factors such as excessive intake of red meat and processed meat, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, as well as genetic factors and related diseases. Among these, lifestyle factors are manageable, so the risk can be sufficiently lowered through lifestyle corrections.
Several studies have shown that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of colon cancer by about 20%. Exercise can be practiced sufficiently through everyday activities such as walking or cycling, or household chores, without necessarily going to the gym.
The research team plans to further study whether these molecular changes are maintained in the long term when exercise is performed repeatedly, and how they interact with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
This research result was published in the international journal 《International Journal of Cancer》 under the title 'Exercise serum promotes DNA damage repair and remodels gene expression in colon cancer cells.'
[Frequently Asked Questions]
Q1. Can I expect colon cancer prevention effects from just 10 minutes of exercise a day?
A. This study showed that even a single 10-minute high-intensity exercise can change the molecular environment in the blood and affect the genetic activity of colon cancer cells. However, this is laboratory research, and regular physical activity is important for long-term prevention effects.
Q2. What type of exercise is most helpful for colon cancer prevention?
A. The study used short, high-intensity cycling exercise, but according to the National Cancer Information Center and various studies, aerobic exercises that can continuously elevate heart rate, such as walking, cycling, and climbing stairs, are helpful in reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Q3. Is exercise beneficial for patients already undergoing treatment for colon cancer?
A. This study was conducted on healthy adults, but the research team stated that they plan to conduct further studies on how exercise interacts with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Currently, whether to exercise during treatment must be discussed with medical professionals.
