Researchers at Newcastle University have found that just 10 minutes of intense exercise can release molecules into the bloodstream that promote DNA repair and inhibit bowel cancer cell growth. The study, involving 30 older adults, showed significant genetic changes in cancer cells exposed to post-exercise blood. These findings suggest exercise could inspire new cancer therapies.
A new study from Newcastle University reveals that brief, vigorous physical activity may offer protective effects against cancer. Published in the International Journal of Cancer in 2025, the research demonstrates how 10 minutes of hard exercise alters the bloodstream's molecular composition to influence cancer-related genes.
The experiment involved 30 volunteers—men and women aged 50 to 78 who were overweight or obese but otherwise healthy. Each participant completed an intense 10-minute cycling session. Blood samples taken afterward were analyzed for 249 proteins, with 13 showing increased levels, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), which aids DNA repair.
When these post-exercise blood samples were applied to bowel cancer cells in a lab, over 1,300 genes altered their activity. Genes supporting mitochondrial energy metabolism and DNA repair—such as the key gene PNKP—became more active, helping cells use oxygen efficiently. Conversely, genes promoting rapid cell division, which fuel cancer aggression, were suppressed.
Lead author Dr. Sam Orange, a senior lecturer in clinical exercise physiology at Newcastle University, highlighted the implications: "What's remarkable is that exercise doesn't just benefit healthy tissues, it sends powerful signals through the bloodstream that can directly influence thousands of genes in cancer cells." He added, "It's an exciting insight because it opens the door to find ways that mimic or augment the biological effects of exercise, potentially improving cancer treatment and, crucially, patient outcomes."
Bowel cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with nearly 44,000 diagnoses annually—one every 12 minutes—and a death every 30 minutes. Regular physical activity is estimated to reduce this risk by about 20%, through activities like walking, biking, gardening, or cleaning, not just gym workouts.
Dr. Orange emphasized accessibility: "Even a single workout can make a difference. One bout of exercise, lasting just 10 minutes, sends powerful signals to the body." Future research will explore long-term effects and interactions with treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, potentially leading to therapies that replicate exercise's benefits.
