Exercise and physical activity play an important role in maintaining a healthy body and mind.

In addition to improving general fitness, being more physically active can help you to prepare for your surgery or treatment by:

  • Improving physical resilience so that your body is better able to cope with the physiological stress of surgery or treatment
  • Reducing the impact of treatment side effects such as fatigue
  • Reducing the likelihood of surgical and treatment complications

It is now widely accepted that it is safe and beneficial for most patients to continue physical activity during and after cancer treatment. In some cases it may be necessary to adapt the type of exercise you participate in e.g. if you have a lowered immune system you may be advised to avoid activities in public places such as swimming pools or gyms.

If treatment or surgery are not part of your care plan, increasing physical activity will improve your general fitness, wellbeing and quality of life.