Support and wellbeing

Collage of three images, featuring man jogging, women doing yoga and a couple walking.

Keeping active

It’s beneficial to try and keep active at all stages of your cancer treatment, to keep your body as healthy as possible before, during or after treatment.

  • Being active during and after treatment reduces the risk of getting other long term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
  • Research suggests that keeping physically active can help reduce the risk of some cancers coming back, and improve survival.

 

Physical activity exists in many forms and it’s important to find something that is achievable and something you enjoy.

 

Examples of physical activity

  • The World Health Organisation recommends adults should aim to be physically active:
  • For 150 minutes a week at moderate intensity.
  • By doing physical activity to improve muscle strength at least two days a week.
  • By reducing time sitting down for long periods.

Find out more about the World Health Organisation recommendations by clicking here.

Physical activity is safe during and after cancer treatment. However, everyone’s experience of cancer is different. Listen to your body and see which activities feel right for you. During treatment, it may not be appropriate or possible to meet these recommendations, but maintaining some level of physical activity is still beneficial.

What do I need to consider?

  • If you are not sure what or how much you can do, speak with your medical team for advice.

 

  • Sometimes fatigue, nausea, pain, dizziness or breathlessness can impact your activity. If symptoms like these increase, seek medical advice. If you are having chemotherapy, contact the chemotherapy hotline.

 

  • If you have a low white blood cell count, avoid intense exercise and focus on normal daily tasks instead, until they improve, or you are advised otherwise.

 

  • If you have been told you are at risk of bone fracture due to bone metastases or osteoporosis, seek advice from your medical team before exercising.

Where can I find support locally?

 

  • Macmillan Centres
    East Surrey Macmillan Centre, based at East Surrey Hospital
    Horizons Centre, Brighton, East Sussex

 

 

 

 

  • GP referral schemes
    Speak with your GP or healthcare professional to find out if they can refer you for a course of supervised exercise at your local leisure centre (this service is usually chargeable).