An NHS health and wellbeing service, free to anyone with a recent diagnosis of cancer or who is receiving cancer treatment in the Harrogate area.

Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust

The benefits of exercise

If exercise was a pill it would be prescribed to every cancer patient

Exercise plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body and mind. It has been well researched that regular exercise can improve outcomes in many chronic diseases including cancer. Furthermore, the effects of exercise have often been demonstrated to have greater success than medications with less associated side effects.

Physical resilience

Increase your aerobic capacity, muscle mass and bone density, so that your body is better able to cope with the physiological stress of surgery or treatment.

Reduces the impact of side effects of treatment

Helps to reduce fatigue and manage pain.

Reduces surgical complications

Having improved health and fitness can reduce the likelihood of complications during surgery and treatment.

Improves mental wellbeing

Exercise can act as an outlet for stress, and releases endorphins, reducing the anxiety and depression often associated with a cancer diagnosis.

Improves sleep

Physical exertion during the day can help avoid sleep disturbances at night.

Supports recovery

Rehabilitation can help rebuild muscle mass and bone density which may have been lost during treatment.

Improves physical wellbeing

Rehabilitation can build strength and flexibility needed to carry out day-to-day tasks following surgery or treatment.

Reduces chances of recurrence

Increased activity levels are associated with a reduction in the rate of some cancer recurrence.

Improves fitness

Increased physical activity can improve body composition, reduces blood pressure and reduces the likelihood of metabolic disorder, diabetes and many cardiovascular diseases.

Our consultants explain the benefits

The surgical team at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust are passionate about the role of exercise for cancer patients.

Many thanks for the brilliant exercise classes, the care, the fun and the laughter that has kept me going over this difficult period and got me to a good level of fitness after my first operation and to cope with the next stage of my recovery. It is truly wonderful work you all do.

Active Against Cancer Patient

A patient was telling me how flat he felt following his diagnosis and then came to an assessment with your team and has since been attending regularly. He was telling me what a difference it has made to him mentally and physically, just what he needed to bring him out of what could have developed into a very dark place!

Urology Care Co-ordinator

Apart from the very obvious benefit that keeping fit helped me tolerate the various treatments better, it also provided a community of lovely people who provided support and friendship. I can honestly say I don’t think I would be in as strong a position today without it.

Clare Green

Active Against Cancer Patient

Being able to remain active during treatment helped me retain some normality and provided a sense of achievement. Physical exercise has played such a big role for me in emotionally coping with treatment and adapting to living with cancer.

Jo Beagley

Active Against Cancer Patient

How to access the service

We accept referrals from healthcare professionals or directly from cancer patients.

If you or your patient are over 18 and have had a cancer diagnosis, a cancer-related hospital admission, or received chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy within the last 12 months you are eligible to join Active Against Cancer. If you or your patient anticipate having surgery or starting chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy for cancer within the next 3 months you are also eligible.

Self-Referral

Healthcare Professionals

Meet our team

Our trainers have specialist training and experience

Our highly-skilled trainers liaise closely with your clinical team to devise and deliver an exercise programme that is safe, appropriate and effective in meeting your individual needs as you progress from your initial cancer diagnosis, through treatment and beyond.