Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.K., with around 44,000 new cases annually and a high mortality rate; activity can include gym workouts, sports, active travel, and routine tasks like gardening or cleaning.

In another trial with 30 overweight or obese adults aged 50–78, the brief 10-minute intense cycling session raised at least 13 circulating proteins (including IL-6) and altered cancer-cell gene expression when their serum was applied to lab-grown bowel cancer cells.

The study design involved healthy, overweight or obese men providing pre- and post-exercise blood samples to assess effects on cancer cells exposed to the serum.

A Newcastle University study shows that a single 10‑minute burst of intense exercise can trigger molecular changes in the bloodstream that may slow bowel cancer growth and boost DNA repair.

Beyond exercise, lifestyle and dietary choices matter: high-fiber foods from whole grains, pulses, fruits, and vegetables, along with avoiding processed meat and limiting alcohol, can lower bowel cancer risk.

Acute exercise raised about 13 proteins in the blood, many linked to reduced inflammation, better vascular function, and metabolism, suggesting exercise signals can influence cancer cell gene activity.

The gene activity changes include upregulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism genes and downregulation of genes tied to rapid cell growth, while activating DNA repair through the PNKP gene.

In the study, 30 overweight or obese healthy men provided blood samples before and after a 10–12 minute cycling session, which was then used to expose bowel cancer cells in the lab.