How Exercise During Cancer Treatment Might Help Your Immune System Fight Back
For patients and caregivers facing esophageal cancer, new research offers hope in an unexpected way—through movement.
When you're going through cancer treatment like chemotherapy, the focus is often on medications, side effects, and rest. But a recent study suggests something else might play a powerful role: exercise.
Researchers in the UK studied patients with a type of esophageal cancer who were getting chemotherapy before surgery. They discovered that patients who followed a supervised exercise program—called “prehabilitation”—had stronger immune responses in their tumors than those who didn’t exercise.
What Is Prehabilitation?
Think of prehabilitation like “training” before a big event—in this case, surgery. Patients in the study exercised several times a week, doing both light aerobic workouts (like cycling) and strength training (like using resistance bands). The goal was to help their bodies stay strong during the difficult weeks of treatment.
Why Does It Matter?
Exercise didn’t just help patients feel better—it may have helped their bodies fight cancer more effectively. The study found that those who exercised had more immune cells inside their tumors, especially a type called CD8+ T cells. These are often called “killer” cells because they attack cancer cells directly.
Patients who kept up their fitness levels also had more of another important group of immune cells: natural killer (NK) cells. These cells are like the body’s first responders and help destroy harmful cells, including cancer.
Fitness and the Immune System
One exciting part of the study was the link between fitness and immune strength. Patients who improved or kept their fitness (measured by how well their heart and lungs worked) also had more immune activity in their tumors. That suggests that being more active may help your immune system work better, even while going through chemo.
What About Results?
Even though survival rates didn’t change in this study, the researchers saw clear signs that exercise changed the way tumors responded. The tumors had more well-organized immune “hot spots” (called tertiary lymphoid structures) in patients who exercised. These areas show that the body is actively trying to fight the cancer.
What This Means for You
If you're a patient (or supporting someone who is), talk to your care team about whether a supervised exercise program is right for you. Prehabilitation isn’t a cure—but it might help your body stay stronger and support your immune system during treatment.
Even small steps like walking, stretching, or light resistance exercises could make a difference—always under your doctor’s guidance.
Final Thoughts
Cancer treatment is tough. But this study shows that something as simple as moving your body could help tip the scales in your favor. It's not just about surviving the treatment—it's about giving your body more tools to fight and recover.
Reference
For more information on how HuMOLYTE can support your gut health during chemotherapy, visit our product page or consult your health care provider.
This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
