Contents
Exercise may be one of the weapons in the fight against cancer, scientists in Australia believe. The study they conducted showed that the effort taken at that time mobilizes the body to produce an “anti-cancer drug” that inhibits the development of cancerous lesions. How it’s possible? Here’s what Australian researchers found.
- Regular physical activity mobilizes the body to produce substances that inhibit the growth of cancer cells. This phenomenon was discovered by scientists from Edith Cowan University in Australia
- The substances that inhibit cancer are myokines produced by the muscles. In addition, these compounds stimulate the immune system to destroy cancer cells
- The experiment was carried out only on prostate cancer cells. However, scientists believe that this mechanism works in all types of cancer
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage.
Movement, muscles and cancer-inhibiting molecules
Scientists from Edith Cowan University (Western Australia) have shown that during exercise, muscles release substances that inhibit the growth of cancer cells. These are myokines – molecules secreted by muscles during movement. The study that showed this phenomenon has so far only been performed on prostate cancer cells. But scientists say all cancers are affected.
What exactly was the experiment about? The Edith Cowan University team asked obese prostate cancer patients to exercise regularly for 12 weeks. Before and after this period, the participants of the study had blood taken. Then they treated prostate tumor cells grown in the laboratory.
– We added pre-exercise blood and that collected after exercise to prostate cancer cells. Then we saw a significant inhibition of the growth of cancer cells by blood from a sample taken after the exercises – says Prof. Robert Newton, author of the discovery in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. “This is an important effect, indicating that regular exercise creates a cancer-inhibiting environment in the body,” he adds.
“The mechanism works in all types of cancer”
After a period of exercise, the researchers found many more blocking myokines in the blood of the volunteers. Unfortunately, these substances did not kill cancer cells, although they slowed down their multiplication. Importantly, it is known that myokines simultaneously stimulate the immune system to kill cancer cells.
According to the researchers, exercise may also support the usual treatment of prostate cancer, e.g. with androgen deprivation, which is usually associated with serious side effects.
Patients usually lose muscle mass in the course of therapy and the amount of adipose tissue increases.
Although the study looked at prostate cancer, the researchers say the finding isn’t just about prostate cancer. – We believe that the observed mechanism works in all types of cancer, says Prof. Newton.
Exercise in Advanced Prostate Cancer – Promising Research
The team of prof. Newton’s is already conducting another study in which volunteers with advanced prostate cancer take part in a six-month training program.
The researchers already describe the preliminary results as promising. – These men are heavily burdened with disease, severe side effects and are in poor condition, but their bodies still produce an anti-cancer drug – says the specialist.
– This is important because it can indicate why men, even with advanced cancer, if they are physically active, do not succumb to the disease as quickly – adds the scientist
Take advantage of the prostate disease laboratory test package available on Medonet Market. Laboratory diagnostics of prostate diseases is recommended for all men, especially after the age of 60.
You may be interested in:
- Treatment of cancer without chemotherapy. The new methods have no side effects
- «Dad’s diagnosis: lung cancer with head metastasis. But the worst has just come ». [DAUGHTER’S LETTER]
- Walking is the way to health
PAP / Marek Matacz
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.