Recent studies show that even a single session of physical activity, such as resistance training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT), can immediately reduce breast cancer cell growth by up to 29%, with increased levels of myokines responsible for this effect.

Research indicates that regular physical activity can significantly reduce cancer recurrence and improve survival rates among survivors by up to 30 percent, highlighting exercise as a potent anti-cancer intervention.

Sedentary lifestyles are increasingly common worldwide due to urbanization and technological changes, with adults spending an average of 4.7 to 6.5 hours sitting daily, which raises the risk of non-communicable diseases including cancer.

This global trend toward inactivity is contributing to higher incidences of cancer and other non-communicable diseases, emphasizing the need for increased physical activity.

Cancer remains a major public health issue in Kenya, ranking as the third leading cause of death, with about 42,000 new cases reported in 2023, projected to rise to 58,000 by 2028 and over 95,000 by 2040, resulting in approximately 27,000 deaths annually.

Breast cancer is a significant concern in Kenya, being the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with over 3,000 deaths annually, and the country's overall cancer mortality ranking fourth in Africa and 18th globally.

According to the World Health Organization, about 31% of adults worldwide did not meet recommended physical activity levels in 2022, and if current trends continue, inactivity could rise to 35% by 2030, worsening public health outcomes.

Physical activity is a low-cost, safe, and accessible intervention that should be integrated into formal cancer care and survivorship programs, especially in resource-limited settings like Kenya, to improve outcomes.

Women engaging in at least 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise weekly experience nearly a 50% reduction in all-cause mortality, with even one hour per week reducing the risk by 25%, underscoring the significant health benefits of regular activity.

Different forms of exercise, including HIIT, elevate protective myokines levels, which remain elevated for up to 30 minutes post-exercise, providing flexibility in physical activity options for cancer survivors.

Exercise promotes the release of myokines—proteins that regulate inflammation, support immune function, and directly suppress cancer cell growth—creating a less favorable environment for tumor development.