A groundbreaking new study from researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU), published July 2025 in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, has revealed that just one session of exercise—either resistance training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT)—can cut cancer cell growth by as much as 30% in breast cancer survivors. The results reinforce the idea of exercise as an accessible and powerful tool for combating cancer, even beyond its already well-established role in post-treatment recovery and long-term well-being.
In recent years, accumulating evidence has highlighted the health benefits of regular physical activity, especially for those living with chronic illnesses like cancer. However, the recent ECU study brings these findings into sharper focus, showing that measurable, cancer-fighting biochemical changes can occur after a single exercise session, not just ongoing training. This news is highly relevant for Thai readers, as rates of breast cancer in Thailand continue to rise, making strategies for prevention and survivor care ever more crucial. The Ministry of Public Health reports that breast cancer is now the most common cancer among Thai women, with more than 40 cases per 100,000 population annually, underscoring the urgent need for accessible, lifestyle-based interventions (Thailand’s National Cancer Institute).
According to the ECU research, led by PhD candidate Francesco Bettariga, participants who had survived breast cancer engaged in either a single resistance training workout or a HIIT session. Researchers then measured levels of myokines—specialized proteins released by working muscles—at three intervals: before exercise, immediately after, and 30 minutes post-workout. Results consistently showed a significant rise in myokine levels following both workout types. Laboratory analysis found that these myokines could slow the growth of cancer cells in vitro by 20–30%. “Exercise has emerged as a therapeutic intervention in the management of cancer, and a large body of evidence exists that shows the safety and effectiveness of exercise as medicine, either during or post cancer treatment,” explained the ECU research team (SciTechDaily).
What makes these findings especially important is that cancer survivors, whose treatment often leaves the body less able to mount strong immune responses, still showed robust increases in cancer-fighting myokines after exercise. “Both types of exercise really work to produce these anti-cancer myokines in breast cancer survivors,” the lead researcher noted. “The results from this study are excellent motivators to add exercise as standard care in the treatment of cancer.” While the immediate anti-cancer effects are promising, the longer-term impacts on recurrence risk and overall survival require further investigation.
The study also explored how sustained, consistent exercise affects body composition—and, by extension, inflammation. Inflammation is a key factor in cancer progression and recurrence; persistent inflammation can help tumors grow, spread, and evade the immune system. A cycle of low physical activity and increased fat mass is known to contribute to a pro-inflammatory state, compounding the risks for survivors. The researchers found that participants who built lean muscle while reducing fat mass through regular exercise were more likely to see decreased markers of inflammation, potentially stacking the odds in favor of longer survival and lower recurrence.
The research team emphasizes that weight loss alone, without concurrent muscle-building exercise, is not effective for reducing cancer risk. “You never want to reduce your weight without exercising, because you need to build or preserve muscle mass and produce these chemicals that you can’t do through just diet alone,” they stressed. This is of particular interest for Thai readers, as popular rapid weight-loss regimens—sometimes encouraged in Thai media—may not confer the same anti-cancer benefits as a balanced approach that includes strength or interval training (Bangkok Post).
Thai oncologists and physical therapists have recently begun integrating structured exercise protocols into cancer care, particularly in major urban hospitals and cancer research institutes. A medical exercise specialist at a leading Bangkok hospital explained: “Our clinical data supports the idea that exercise, supervised and tailored safely for cancer survivors, should be a core part of rehabilitation. It improves both physical recovery and long-term outcomes.”
Historically, Thai society placed heavy emphasis on dietary changes—rooted in both traditional Thai medicine and more modern health advice—as the primary lifestyle modification for cancer prevention. However, this new international research, together with emerging Thai clinical experience, suggests a shift is underway. Physical activity, particularly under professional guidance, is gaining recognition as equally crucial, and unique challenges remain in ensuring equal access to safe exercise options for all Thai cancer survivors. For instance, rural provinces may lack specialized physiotherapists or facilities, and Thai cultural norms around body image and physical exertion can sometimes act as barriers to widespread participation.
On the international front, these findings fit into a growing global movement advocating for “exercise as medicine” in oncology care, endorsed by leading bodies such as the American College of Sports Medicine (Exercise guidelines for cancer survivors). Thailand’s cancer control strategy, which already stresses education and early detection, is likely to benefit from incorporating these new evidence-based exercise interventions—especially since the underlying biological mechanisms (the rapid surge of anti-cancer myokines) seem to apply across diverse populations.
Looking ahead, researchers—and Thai public health experts—are keen to explore whether regular, supervised exercise programs might further impact long-term cancer recurrence in Thai breast cancer survivors, who often face different social, dietary, and genetic factors compared to Western populations. Appropriately designed community fitness schemes, expanded hospital-based rehabilitation services, or culturally tailored HIIT programs could deliver outsized benefits. Experts also urge public health officials to provide more training to Thai healthcare workers in exercise prescription and safety, particularly for cancer patients and survivors.
For Thai readers, the practical takeaway is compelling: Even a single, moderate-intensity workout could trigger a wave of cancer-fighting protein production in the body. For breast cancer survivors as well as healthy adults, a mix of resistance training (such as weight lifting or bodyweight exercises) and HIIT (such as cycling or circuit-style routines) can lay a biochemical foundation for longer, healthier lives. Those considering exercise for cancer prevention or as part of cancer survivorship are advised to consult with healthcare professionals—ideally those with expertise in exercise medicine or rehabilitation—before starting a new fitness program, especially after intensive treatments. Community fitness centers, hospital-based rehab units, or even digital exercise coaching can help bridge the expertise gap in areas where resources are limited (National Cancer Institute Thailand).
In conclusion, as Thailand faces rising rates of breast cancer, this research offers a hopeful, science-backed message for cancer survivors and the public: Exercise is not just about staying fit or losing weight—it is an active participant in the body’s fight against cancer. Incorporating structured, regular physical activity into daily life can unlock new levels of resilience, support recovery, and perhaps, in time, reduce future cancer risk for all Thais. For those who have not yet begun, now may be the time to start that first session—and with even one workout, the body starts to fight back.
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