World Health Day

Paula A. Oliveira and Elisabete Gonçalves are researchers at the Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), whose scientific trajectories have been closely intertwined for several years. This collaboration began within a supervisor–trainee relationship and has consistently evolved into a strong and productive scientific partnership. Currently, both lead independent research projects funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), which, although distinct in scope, converge on a central question: can physical exercise truly be considered a form of medicine? Health may begin with a simple act: moving the body. Before any diagnosis or pharmacological intervention, there exists a stimulus capable of profoundly modulating human physiology—physical exercise.

Within this framework, the exploratory project EX_MEN, led by Elisabete Gonçalves, aims to investigate how different exercise modalities influence therapeutic responses in prostate cancer. In particular, this project addresses the impact of exercise under demanding treatment conditions, such as androgen deprivation therapy, exploring the biological mechanisms linking physical activity to tumour progression.

In parallel, the SEXFIT2CARE project, led by Paula A. Oliveira, focuses on bladder cancer, exploring personalised exercise strategies that account for sex-related biological differences. This project integrates advanced mechanistic approaches to understand how exercise may exert anticancer effects and contribute to optimising therapeutic outcomes.

From the convergence of these two projects emerges a transformative concept: physical exercise is no longer viewed solely as a tool for prevention or rehabilitation, but rather as an active component of antitumour therapy.