Exercise Slows Aging, Boosts Memory in Breast Cancer

A 12-month exercise program improved memory and attention in breast cancer survivors at six months, but these cognitive gains were not sustained at the one-year mark. The research also found that physical activity significantly slowed markers of biological aging over the same period.

Participants in the exercise group showed greater improvement in memory at six months, but the difference was no longer evident at 12 months. Both groups showed meaningful improvements on all cognitive measures, but no significant differences were found in the study's two primary outcomes: processing speed and self-reported cognition. The exercise group increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity more than the health and wellness group. At 12 months, the memory benefit in the exercise group was the same as the health and wellness group.

Exercise Slows Biological Aging in Survivors

Participants in the exercise group showed slower epigenetic aging over 12 months compared to the health and wellness group, indicating a molecular benefit from physical activity. The health and wellness group showed nearly 10 months of epigenetic aging markers over the 12-month study. By contrast, the exercise group showed only about one month of change.

A companion study looked at a random subset of 124 participants who provided blood samples at the beginning of the study and at six and 12 month follow-ups. Researchers used epigenetic clocks to measure epigenetic age-an estimate of a person’s biological age based on DNA methylation patterns. Epigenetic age can differ significantly from chronological age. At the start of the study, participants in both groups had epigenetic ages that were, on average, about 8.7 years older than their chronological ages.

Link Between Aging and Cognition Revealed

Faster epigenetic aging was tied to smaller improvements in attention and poorer self-reported cognition, suggesting a biological mechanism behind cognitive symptoms. Across both groups, faster epigenetic aging was associated with less improvement in attention and worse self-reported cognition. Paula Desplats said: "What is particularly striking about these findings is that the effects of exercise were measurable both at the molecular level and in cognitive performance."

The results suggest that exercise may help buffer against some of the cognitive effects associated with accelerated epigenetic aging.

Study Design and Survivor Population

The findings come from a randomized trial of 253 breast cancer survivors with low activity and cognitive concerns, comparing a remote exercise program to a health coaching control. One in three breast cancer survivors experience cognitive problems including difficulties with attention, memory, processing speed, and other aspects of thinking. Researchers believe these problems can arise from treatment effects, inflammation, hormonal changes, fatigue, and stress. Cognitive problems may persist after treatment and affect everyday activities and quality of life.

Participants were randomly assigned to either a remotely delivered exercise program or a health and wellness program that provided regular contact with a health coach but did not include exercise coaching. The exercise group used fitness trackers to monitor activity and received individualized coaching to work toward 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week. There were no significant differences between groups in executive function.

Researchers, Funding, and Publication

The studies were led by UC San Diego and Ohio State researchers and funded by the National Cancer Institute with no conflicts of interest. The two studies were published on September 30, 2026. Sheri Hartman, PhD, professor at UC San Diego, is lead author of the cognitive study. Paula Desplats, a professor of neurology at The Ohio State University, is co-senior author of the companion study on aging.

The studies were funded, in part, by the National Cancer Institute. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The article closes on the finding that exercise may help buffer against cognitive effects linked to accelerated epigenetic aging in breast cancer survivors.