Intense exercise can reduce the growth, size and frequency of cancer tumors by 50%

Exercise is important for your overall well-being. Even healthcare professionals stress the importance of regular physical activity for patients with cancer, especially since some individuals may develop depression after receiving a diagnosis. Multiple studies have reported that intense exercise can even help shrink tumors.

The link between exercise and tumors

Several studies suggest that physical activity can help slow down tumor growth and size. Additionally, findings imply that exercise can boost the effectiveness of other cancer therapies.

One study conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen revealed that mice subjected to intense exercise had a 50 percent reduction in growth, size, and incidence of cancer tumors. The UPCH study was published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

This suggests that exercise can boost cancer-fighting immune cells, or natural killer cells (NK cells), in mice. Researchers are optimistic that the same results can be replicated with human participants.

Experts know that “infiltration of these natural cancer-fighting immune cells into a cancerous tumor is the key to controlling and regulating tumor size.” However, researchers have yet to determine how to effectively bring NK cells into action.

In the UCPH study, the researchers found that a surge of adrenaline due to high-intensity exercise helps boost NK cells. They added that exercise pushed these cells toward liver, lung, and skin tumors.

Pernille Hojman, the study’s senior author, and the rest of the team worke