Exercise Post Cancer Improves Remission

A new study while small in scale, shows signs that exercise among cancer survivors may help reduce the chance of future cancers.

University of Nebraska researchers found that exercise among the 16 cancer survivors who completed a 12 week exercise program boosted the immune system and shrank the risk of reoccurring cancers.

The participant’s T cells were analyzed in the volunteers before and after the study.

Researchers found that volunteers’ immune cells changed from a senescent form to a naive form.

Senescent form T cells are not very effective in providing immunity or fighting cancer.

A naive form on the other hand does boost immunity & is believe to assist in fighting cancer as well.

The study authors said that this change in cells will help fight the reoccurrence of cancer.

“What we’re suggesting is that with exercise, you might be getting rid of T cells that aren’t helpful and making room for T cells that might be helpful,”

study author, Laura Bilek said, according to Bioscience Technology.

“There’s a litany of positive benefits from exercise,” Bilek said.

“If exercise indeed strengthens the immune system and potentially improves cancer surveillance, it’s one more thing we should educate patients about as a reason they should schedule regular activity throughout their day and make it a priority in their lives.”