Just one bout of physical activity, specifically resistance training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may trigger a measurable anti-cancer response in the body. That’s not wishful thinking. It’s the takeaway from a compelling new study by researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia, who found that a single workout could slow the growth of cancer cells by as much as 30%.While exercise has long been considered a complementary therapy in cancer care, this study sharpens the focus. It suggests that even short-term, intentional movement could offer physiological benefits for breast cancer survivors at the cellular level. And that’s a big deal.Led by PhD researcher Francesco Bettariga, the ECU study explored how exercise impacts breast cancer survivors not just in the long term, but immediately. The team zeroed in on myokines, which are proteins secreted by muscles during exercise. Myokines are emerging as powerful players in the body’s defense system, with proven anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.Participants in the study—all breast cancer survivors underwent either a single session of resistance training or HIIT. Researchers then measured their blood before, immediately after, and 30 minutes post-exercise. The results showed a clear and consistent increase in myokine levels across both workout formats.This spike wasn’t just theoretical. Bettariga’s lab data indicated that these boosted myokine levels could reduce the rate of cancer cell growth by 20–30%, after just one session.Why It Is More Important for Breast Cancer Survivors?We already know that cancer—and the treatments used to fight it—can wreak havoc on the body’s immune system and metabolism. Fatigue, inflammation, muscle loss, and long-term damage to cellular function are all common side effects. That’s part of what makes this study so significant: it demonstrates that even bodies under considerable strain from cancer treatment can still mount a biological defense through exercise.“The results from the study show that both types of exercise really work to produce these anti-cancer myokines in breast cancer survivors,” Bettariga noted. “The implications are powerful—this is strong motivation to integrate exercise into cancer care.”What’s unique here is the immediacy. Most studies emphasize the long-term benefits of exercise over weeks or months. This one highlights a biochemical response that kicks in within minutes.Link Between Inflammation And Body Composition?Beyond myokines, the study also looked into another critical component of cancer recurrence: inflammation.Persistent inflammation plays a major role in tumor progression. It promotes the survival and spread of cancer cells and suppresses the immune response, making it harder for the body to fight back. Worse, both cancer and its treatments can increase inflammatory biomarkers in the bloodstream.According to Bettariga’s extended research, the answer lies in body composition—specifically, reducing fat mass and increasing lean muscle through consistent exercise.“Strategies are needed to reduce inflammation,” he said, “which may provide a less supportive environment for cancer progression, leading to a lower risk of recurrence and mortality in survivors of breast cancer.”Building lean muscle through resistance or interval training doesn’t just make you stronger. It could actually help change the biochemical environment of your body to be less hospitable to cancer cells.Why Diet Alone Isn’t Enough?The study also underscores an important caveat: quick-fix weight loss strategies don’t deliver the same benefits. In fact, losing weight without preserving or building muscle may do more harm than good.“You never want to reduce your weight without exercising,” Bettariga cautioned. “You need to build or preserve muscle mass and produce these beneficial chemicals—like myokines—that you can’t get through diet alone.”That means crash diets, juice cleanses, or calorie-cutting without movement won’t contribute meaningfully to the anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer response. The muscle is the medicine in this case—and it has to be activated.How to Add HIIT or Resistance Training into Your Routine?If this all sounds powerful but overwhelming, start simple. The study wasn’t testing elite athletes. It was studying real breast cancer survivors, many of whom were new to structured exercise routines. For resistance training: Think compound movements that target large muscle groups—like squats, lunges, push-ups, or lifting light weights. You don’t need a gym or equipment to start. Even bodyweight training done consistently can build lean mass.For HIIT, try alternating 30 seconds of high-effort movement (like jumping jacks, stair climbs, or brisk uphill walking) with 1–2 minutes of slower recovery. Repeat the cycle for 15–20 minutes.The key isn’t the duration, it’s the intensity and consistency. According to Bettariga’s findings, even one session is enough to jumpstart the body’s internal defense mechanisms.Can This Improve Future of Cancer Care?There’s a growing shift in how we view recovery and survivorship. No longer is exercise considered a “bonus” or “optional.” Increasingly, it’s being recognized as a core component of medical care—one that can potentially alter the trajectory of disease, especially in cancers with high recurrence rates like breast cancer.While more research is needed to explore the long-term implications of myokine production and its effect on cancer recurrence, the current data is promising. At a time when many cancer survivors are looking for ways to reclaim control over their bodies, this study offers something rare: a simple, immediate action that can make a real difference.