Exercise continues to be hailed as a powerful tool in cancer prevention and recovery, with recent studies reinforcing its importance for cancer patients and survivors. Here’s an updated overview of the latest findings:
Exercise Benefits for Cancer Patients and Survivors
Recent research has further solidified the role of exercise in improving outcomes for cancer patients and survivors:
1. Reduced Risk of Progression and Death: A 2025 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that regular physical activity before a cancer diagnosis may lower the risks of both disease progression and death[3]. Even relatively low levels of physical activity showed benefits, with as little as 60 minutes of regular weekly exercise reducing the likelihood of cancer progression by 27% and death by 47%[3].
2. Benefits for Different Cancer Types: The study, which included over 28,000 participants with stage 1 cancers, showed that moderate to vigorous exercise diminished the risk of cancer progressing to more severe stages by 27% compared to those who did not engage in any physical activity[1].
3. Hormone Receptor-Negative Cancers: Participants with hormone receptor-negative breast cancer saw the greatest benefit, with a 63% lower risk of distant recurrence during the study period[2].
4. Optimal Exercise Duration: The research indicated that exercising between 90 minutes to 5 hours each week provided the most benefit, with no additional advantages observed beyond 5 hours of weekly exercise[2].
Mechanisms of Action
Scientists have proposed several mechanisms by which exercise may help prevent cancer recurrence and improve outcomes:
1. Immune System Boost: Physical activity strengthens immunity by increasing numbers of natural killer cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils[3].
2. Hormone Regulation: Exercise may lower the progression risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and prostate cancers, by regulating estrogen and testosterone levels[3].
Exercise Recommendations
The World Cancer Research Fund emphasizes that any form of physical activity, from structured exercise to daily chores, can help lower cancer risk[5]. The American Cancer Society recommends that cancer survivors aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week[6].
Lance Armstrong Update
It’s important to note that since 2011, Lance Armstrong’s reputation has significantly changed. In 2012, he was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles due to doping allegations, and he later admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs throughout his cycling career. While Armstrong’s story is no longer used as a positive example in cancer survivorship discussions, the general principle of exercise benefiting cancer survivors remains valid and is supported by extensive scientific research.
The possibility that Lance Armstrong’s use of performance-enhancing drugs may have contributed to his cancer remains uncertain. Armstrong himself has expressed doubt about the connection, stating in a 2020 ESPN documentary that he’s unsure whether his doping caused the cancer, but he wouldn’t rule it out[9]. While direct links between specific performance-enhancing drugs and testicular cancer are not well-established, research indicates that hormones with anabolic properties, such as growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), can activate cellular mechanisms that modulate key stages of cancer formation and progression[10]. Additionally, some anabolic steroids have been shown to enhance testicular Leydig cell proliferation and increase tumor development risk in animal models[11]. However, the complexity of doping practices, which often involve multiple substances, makes it challenging to establish a definitive causal relationship between Armstrong’s drug use and his cancer diagnosis[9][10].
Conclusion
In conclusion, exercise continues to be viewed as a crucial component in cancer care and prevention. As research progresses, the medical community increasingly recognizes physical activity as a valuable tool in improving outcomes for cancer patients and survivors.
Read More
[1] https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2025-01-09/exercise-prior-to-cancer-diagnosis-may-help-slow-disease-progression
[2] https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/moderate-exercise-delays-breast-cancer-recurrence
[3] https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/research-news/2025/2025-01/regular-physical-activity-before-cancer-diagnosis-may-lower-progression-and-death-risks.html
[4] https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2025/01/02/bjsports-2024-108813
[5] https://www.wcrf.org/preventing-cancer/topics/exercise-and-cancer/page/13/
[6] https://ascopost.com/issues/february-25-2025/exercise-therapy-as-candidate-anticancer-strategy
[7] https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/releases/2025/01/healthy-in-2025-tipsheet.html
[8] https://www.pbrc.edu/news/media/2025/americancancersociety.aspx
[9] https://people.com/sports/lance-armstrong-not-sure-doping-caused-cancer/
[10] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31616903/
[11] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.778426/full