Introduction to exercise when you have a cancer diagnosis
Exercise and Cancer
Gone are the days that when you were unwell or hospitalised you were encouraged to lie down quietly and rest for long periods of time. There is so much research now which provides strong evidence that keeping moving and engaging in appropriate activity, actually encourages recovery far quicker both, physically and mentally.
General information about exercise and Cancer
Exercise Guidelines for Cancer patients
Macmillan - Physical Activity and Cancer
Exercise following discharge from hospital
If you have been in hospital, you will have been encouraged to get up and out of bed as soon as it is possible and safe to do so. You may need special support by the means of equipment or require specialist advice; maybe you will have been given specific guidelines as to how to regain your strength or confidence.
When discharged home from hospital, you might have been given relevant information by your medical team about what level of activity you can and can’t do. You may be given a follow up hospital appointment, where it will be possible for you to ask how soon you can engage in exercise and check if there are any specific guidelines you should adhere to. This information will ensure you can help yourself make the best recovery. The information will also be required from us to complete a booking form to ensure you are booked onto the most appropriate class or course for you.
Exercise whilst having treatment
Whilst in general it is considered safe to engage in appropriate exercise during cancer treatment, there are times when some guidelines need to be put into place. Please check with your Nurse Specialist/Doctor or call into the Ipswich Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre prior to starting exercise, to see if there are any restrictions that you should take into consideration.
If at any time once you have engaged in an activity you have any concerns about the exercise class, your health or the impact on your treatment, then please ensure you seek advice at the time with any of your specialists or talk to the exercise instructor who will help you to make the right choices for you.
Always listen to your body and pace yourself accordingly.
Evidence on exercise when undertaken on a regular basis, is that it benefits many areas of wellbeing. To name but a few; it can help with mood, mental health, fatigue, pain management, side effects of treatment, insomnia and can aid recovery.
Remember it takes time to build up a routine, the first few times it may take a lot of will power and motivation, so you may find you need to ask someone else to support you. Start with gentle exercises and build up as your body allows. Listen to what your body is saying to you; if you are experiencing pain, new symptoms or have any concerns slow down, pace yourself, stop and if need be seek expert advice.
Some useful videos on different activities that people living with cancer have taken part in
Dr Duncan Still talks about the benefits of exercise on your body, whilst living with cancer.
Dr Anna Campbell talks about the benefits of being physically active during and after cancer treatment, including stories from people who have cancer.
Raewyn Levis shares her personal story about the shock of being diagnosed with Lymphoma and her experience through cancer treatment.
Just a few videos with exercises for you to join in if you think they are suitable for you.
NHS Fitness Studio videos
Yoga self-care video
Macmillan: Get Active Feel Good
The NHS has a vast amount of information, videos and exercise classes you can take part in at home, from chair based exercises to high impact. We have concentrated on the ones that might be relevant to people who are living with cancer.
Always check with your health care team as to what type of exercise would be beneficial to you before embarking on any exercise. You may need to avoid certain activity, or build up your exercise carefully. There will be something for everyone, but everyone is different. Everyone should move and be as active as their body allows but it is always best to err on the side of caution and check first.
Below you will find links to a selection of information on exercise available from the NHS website and elsewhere.
Ramblers’ walks in Suffolk- all levels
A Walking App - Encourages you to walk briskly for just 10 mins a day
Active Suffolk
Active Suffolk work in partnership with the Ipswich Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre to help provide appropriate exercise for cancer patients at all levels of ability.