Exercise can release protein, lower risk of bowel cancer

For the first time, experts have accurately found that exercise reduces the risk of bowel cancer and slows tumor growth

Scientists at Newcastle University have found that physical activity can cause the cancer-fighting protein Interleukin-6 (IL-6) to be released into the bloodstream to help repair the DNA of damaged cells

The findings, published in the International Journal of Cancer, shed light on the importance of moderate exercise in combating life-threatening diseases and may help develop future treatments

DNA repair

Dr Sam Orange, Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at Newcastle University, said: "Previous scientific evidence has shown that more exercise can help reduce the risk of bowel cancer, as the more people exercise, the lower their chances of developing bowel cancer

"If you exercise multiple times a week over an extended period of time, cancer-fighting substances such as IL-6 released into the bloodstream have the opportunity to interact with abnormal cells, repair their DNA, and reduce cancer cell growth.

For the small study, a team of researchers from Newcastle University and York St John University recruited 16 men aged 50-80 who had life>

After providing an initial blood sample, the participants rode an indoor bike at moderate intensity for 30 minutes, with a second blood sample taken immediately after they finished cycling

As a control measure, the scientists took further blood samples before and after the participants rested

The scientists added blood samples to bowel cancer cells in the lab and monitored how the cells grew over a 48-hour period

In addition, exercised blood samples not only reduced cancer growth, but also reduced the extent of DNA damage, suggesting that physical activity repairs cells, creating a genetically stable cell type

Dr Orange said: "Our findings are very exciting because they reveal a newly discovered mechanism for how physical activity reduces bowel cancer risk, independent of weight loss

"A better understanding of these mechanisms could lead to more precise cancer prevention exercise guidelines

"Physical activity of any type and duration can improve health and reduce bowel cancer risk, but the more the better

Dr Adam Odell, Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences at York St John University, who participated in the research along with Dr Alastair Jordan and Owen Kavanagh, added: "It is important that a more active life>

"By identifying a mechanism by which regular physical activity can have anticancer effects, our research provides further support for current national and global efforts to increase exercise participation

bowel cancer incidence

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 11% of all new cancer cases

Physical activity is estimated to reduce risk by about 20%
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It can be done by going to the gym, doing sports, or through active travel like walking or cycling to work, but it can also be done as part of a chore or job like gardening or cleaning
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The team intends to conduct further research to determine exactly how exercise reduces DNA damage in early-stage cancers and establish the most effective form of exercise to prevent the disease
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