{"id":699362,"date":"2026-01-16T07:06:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T07:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/699362\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T07:06:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T07:06:23","slug":"just-10-minutes-of-exercise-triggers-changes-linked-to-lower-cancer-risk-what-this-means-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/699362\/","title":{"rendered":"Just 10 minutes of exercise triggers changes linked to lower cancer risk \u2013 what this means for you"},"content":{"rendered":"

Researchers from the University of Newcastle have found<\/a> that as little as 10 minutes of physical activity could help protect against cancer \u2013 in this case, bowel cancer<\/a> specifically, which is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with one diagnosis occurring every 12 minutes.<\/p>\n

What did the study find?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The team of researchers had 30 participants (both men and women \u2013 all of whom were overweight or obese, which is a risk factor of cancer) complete a short but intense cycling test, which lasted around 10 minutes. They then collected blood samples from the participants so that they could investigate 249 proteins, thirteen of which increased after exercise \u2013 including interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is a signalling molecule involved in DNA repair. <\/p>\n

In other words, the researchers found that this short, high-intensity exercise created changes in the bloodstream, and that it increased the levels of specific molecules known to reduce inflammation<\/a>, support healthy blood vessels and improve metabolism. <\/p>\n

However, as well as healthy tissues benefitting, the researchers also discovered that exercise-induced shifts in the bloodstream also appeared to suppress bowel cancer growth. When exposing blood samples containing the exercise-induced molecules to bowel cancer cells in the lab, the researchers found that over 1,300 genes shifted their activity, including those involved in DNA repair, energy production and cancer cell growth. <\/p>\n

Related StoryWhat does this mean for us?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scientists have already estimated that regular physical activity lowers bowel cancer risk by about 20%, and this study provides a valuable insight into the potential mechanisms behind that risk reduction. <\/p>\n

\u2018These results suggest that exercise doesn’t just benefit healthy tissues, it may also create a more hostile environment for cancer cells to grow,\u2019 said Dr Sam Orange, a senior lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology at Newcastle University and the study\u2019s lead author in an editorial piece accompanying the paper. <\/p>\n

\u2018Even a single workout can make a difference. One bout of exercise, lasting just 10 minutes, sends powerful signals to the body.<\/p>\n

\u2018It’s a reminder that every step, every session, counts when it comes to doing your best to protect your health<\/a>.\u2019<\/p>\n

Which type of exercise is best?<\/strong><\/p>\n

While this study suggests that the bloodstream shifts could be at least partly intensity-dependent, it remains unclear whether \u2013 and to what extent \u2013 similar molecular responses would happen with lower-intensity exercise. This still needs to be studied. <\/p>\n

So, although the researchers looked into vigorous intensity exercise in this instance, it\u2019s certainly not to say lower-intensity sessions, for example, walking<\/a>, stair climbing and everyday activities like gardening, aren\u2019t beneficial. <\/p>\n

What it does show is that if you are exercising at a high intensity (think cycling, rowing, running<\/a>, rebounding<\/a>) you don\u2019t need to be spending hours in the gym \u2013 it only needs to take 10 minutes of your day. <\/p>\n

The bottom line<\/strong><\/p>\n

The study\u2019s results add to a growing body of evidence highlighting the role of exercise in cancer prevention \u2013 and potentially treatment, too. <\/p>\n

\u2018What’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,\u2019 said Dr Orange. <\/p>\n

\u2018It’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.<\/p>\n

In the future, these insights could lead to new therapies that imitate the beneficial effects of exercise on how cells repair damaged DNA and use fuel for energy.\u2019<\/p>\n

The researchers still need to look into whether repeated exercise sessions lead to long-lasting biological changes (blood was taken immediately after exercise only), which they plan to do \u2013 along with how exercise-related effects interact with common cancer treatments like chemotherapy<\/a> and radiotherapy.<\/p>\n

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\"4<\/a> Related Stories\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women\u2019s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. \u00a0She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner\u2019s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. \u00a0A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She\u2019s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.<\/p>\n