Past studies and bodies of knowledge have always reiterated the importance and benefits of regular exercise to the body. It dramatically reduces the risk for many diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even cancer. Now, a new study involving mice shows that aerobic exercise has slowed the growth of breast cancer tumors and made them more susceptible to cancer treatments specifically chemotherapy.
The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, discovered that exercise can make it a daunting task for breast cancer cells or tumors to develop into more aggressive forms. The scientists know for a fact that as a cancer tumor grows, it releases biochemical signals that kickstart the formation of additional blood vessels to provide the growing tumor with ample blood supply that contains nutrients and oxygen for development.
According to Mother Nature Network, the study was conducted on mice wherein the researchers inserted breast cancer cells into their tissues. They were grouped into two: sedentary mice and those who ran on a hamster wheel whenever they want to.
While tumors developed in both groups, in a series of blood tests, the tumors grew more slowly in mice who exercise, and faster in those who are sedentary. Furthermore, the researchers found out that exercise increased the flow of oxygen to the tumors but it slowed down its growth than those who were not active.
Mark W. Dewhirst, the Gustavo S. Montana Professor of Radiation Oncology at Duke University School of Medicine as reported by The New York Times said that if tumors are oxygen deprived, it can make tumors impermeable and resistant to treatment including chemotherapy. In fact, basic cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation best works if they are partnered with oxygen.
For years, Dr. Dewhirst and his colleagues have been finding for a method to increase oxygen supply to these tumor cells for them to be permeable to treatments. Hence, Dr. Dewhirst and his fellow researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City began to consider exercise.
Exercise, specifically, aerobic exercise has the capacity to improve the blood flow to tissues. Hence, the study has showed them that exercise can indeed improve oxygen flow to tumors.
Dr. Dewhirst said that exercise made breast cancer tumors in the mice susceptible to chemotherapy by making them less hypoxic and healthier. "It made tumors easier to kill."
The American Cancer Society recommends exercise during cancer treatment to keep or improve your physical abilities, improve balance, lower risk of falls and broken bones; keep muscles from wasting due to inactivity, improve blood flow to your legs and lower the risk of blood clots; lessen symptoms of tiredness (fatigue) and improve your quality of life.
