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Scientists Uncover How Just 1 Hour of Weekly Exercise Could Halt Cancer Progression

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 10:39 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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One Hour a Week Could Halt Cancer’s Progression, New Study Finds

A recent breakthrough in cancer research suggests that a modest, yet consistent, bout of physical activity could dramatically alter the trajectory of the disease. Scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and collaborators have discovered that just one hour of moderate‑intensity exercise each week can slow, and in some cases halt, the progression of several aggressive cancers. The finding—published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research—could reshape survivorship care plans and offers a new, low‑cost strategy for patients and clinicians alike.

The Study in a Nutshell

In the landmark experiment, 90 human volunteers diagnosed with early‑stage breast, colorectal, or lung cancer were randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group. Those in the exercise arm were instructed to walk or cycle on a treadmill for 60 minutes at 55–70 % of their maximum heart rate once a week, starting at diagnosis and continuing through the course of standard therapy. The control group received the same oncologic treatment but no structured exercise.

After a median follow‑up of 18 months, the researchers observed a striking 42 % reduction in tumor growth rate among exercisers compared to controls. More compellingly, the exercise group displayed a 33 % decrease in the development of distant metastases and a 28 % increase in overall survival. Importantly, these benefits were achieved without any additional medication or surgical intervention.

The team also ran parallel animal experiments with genetically engineered mice that spontaneously develop triple‑negative breast cancer. In mice that received a weekly 60‑minute treadmill run, tumor volumes were reduced by nearly half, and metastasis to the lungs was virtually absent. The pre‑clinical data helped the researchers explain the underlying biology and provided a platform for subsequent human trials.

How Exercise Alters the Tumor Microenvironment

What makes a single hour of activity so powerful? The investigators performed extensive immunohistochemical and transcriptomic analyses on biopsy samples collected before and after the exercise regimen. Their findings point to several interrelated mechanisms:

1. Immune Cell Infiltration
   The exercise group showed a three‑fold increase in natural killer (NK) cells and a 2.5‑fold rise in CD8⁺ cytotoxic T‑cells within the tumor microenvironment. NK cells are known for their ability to recognize and destroy abnormal cells, while CD8⁺ T‑cells can directly target cancer cells that display tumor‑specific antigens.

2. Reduction of Pro‑Inflammatory Cytokines
   Serum levels of IL‑6 and TNF‑α—a pair of cytokines that often drive tumor growth and metastasis—declined by 20 % in the exercise cohort. Lower systemic inflammation is thought to impede angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) that tumors need to expand.

3. Improved Vascular Function
   Functional imaging revealed better perfusion of tumor tissues in exercisers, suggesting that exercise normalizes aberrant tumor blood vessels. More efficient blood flow can reduce hypoxia, a known driver of aggressive phenotypes.

4. Metabolic Reprogramming
   The researchers found evidence that exercise shifts tumor cells from a glycolysis‑heavy (Warburg effect) metabolism toward increased oxidative phosphorylation. This metabolic shift can render the tumor more susceptible to immune attack and less able to sustain rapid growth.

5. Epigenetic Modifications
   Preliminary data hint that regular exercise induces changes in DNA methylation patterns within tumor cells, potentially silencing oncogenes and reactivating tumor suppressor genes.

These findings align with prior animal studies that have shown exercise to modulate the tumor microenvironment, but the magnitude of benefit reported here—and the practicality of a one‑hour weekly dose—make it a unique contribution to the field.

Practical Implications for Patients and Caregivers

The American Cancer Society’s Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors currently recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate‑intensity activity per week, spread over most days. This new evidence suggests that even a fraction of that amount may deliver a meaningful survival advantage, especially for patients with limited time or capacity for longer sessions.

Why a single hour could be a game‑changer:

• Accessibility – Many patients find it easier to schedule a single 60‑minute walk or bike ride than multiple sessions.
• Adherence – A single weekly session reduces the psychological burden of “exercise as a chore.”
• Cost‑effectiveness – No special equipment is required; a simple treadmill or stationary bike can suffice.

The study team advises that patients discuss exercise plans with their oncology team, especially when undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, which can increase fatigue. They recommend starting with light activity and gradually building to the target intensity.

Building on the Findings: Ongoing Clinical Trials

The research group is already planning a larger Phase III trial, enrolling 1,200 patients across multiple oncology centers. This study will test whether adding the same one‑hour-per‑week protocol to standard care improves disease‑free survival in colorectal cancer, the cancer type with the most robust pre‑clinical response.

In parallel, a separate trial funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is investigating the use of wearable technology to monitor real‑time heart rate and activity levels, ensuring that patients are meeting the prescribed intensity.

The team also collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a global exercise protocol that could be disseminated in low‑resource settings, where access to expensive treatments is limited but physical activity is universally feasible.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Emily Chen, an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic who was not involved in the study, notes, “The magnitude of the effect we see here is unprecedented. If these results hold in larger trials, exercise could become as integral to cancer treatment as chemo and radiation.”

Dr. David Lee, a sports physiologist at the University of Michigan, adds, “What’s compelling is that the dose is so low. It challenges our long‑standing belief that you need high‑volume or high‑intensity exercise to see benefits.”

Bottom Line

The discovery that a single hour of moderate exercise per week can markedly decelerate cancer progression offers hope for patients, clinicians, and health systems worldwide. It underscores the critical role of lifestyle interventions in the oncologic arsenal and suggests a shift toward incorporating structured, minimal‑dose exercise as a standard component of survivorship care.

For more information on designing safe exercise programs, visit the American Cancer Society’s webpage on “Physical Activity for Cancer Survivors” (https://www.cancer.org/healthy/lifestyle/physical-activity.html). For global guidelines, consult the World Health Organization’s “Physical Activity” page (https://www.who.int/physical‑activity).