People in Huddersfield living with cancer will soon have access to a pioneering cancer exercise service to help them prepare for and recover from their cancer treatment.

Yorkshire Cancer Research, in partnership with Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, is launching its research-backed exercise treatment service, Active Together, across the area this summer, giving people with cancer the opportunity to experience the life-changing benefits of exercise as part of their overall treatment.

Designed by researchers at Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Active Together is underpinned by well-established scientific evidence that shows exercise before cancer treatment (prehabilitation) and after cancer treatment (rehabilitation) can increase cancer survival, reduce side effects from treatment, reduce complications and reduce the risk of cancer returning.

Nearly 3,000 people across Yorkshire have already been supported by this vital cancer exercise treatment service, which also offers expert nutritional and psychological support.

Yorkshire Cancer Research aims to help address cancer inequalities by bringing this pioneering service into communities in Yorkshire where it is needed most.

In Calderdale and Huddersfield, around 54 people are diagnosed with cancer every week. Sadly, people in the area are more likely to lose their lives from cancer when compared to the national average.

For Norma Blagborough, research-backed cancer exercise treatment became a vital part of her recovery from bowel cancer surgery.

To help build her fitness ahead of the operation and reduce the risk of complications afterwards, Norma was referred to Active Together, where she began a personalised cancer exercise treatment plan, alongside tailored nutritional support.

Sophie (left) and Norma Blagborough

Reflecting on her diagnosis, Norma said: “Completely devastated is the only way to put it. I was really taken aback.

“I’d had a hysterectomy a few years ago after I was diagnosed with womb cancer and really wasn’t expecting to be diagnosed a second time. I was so nervous about going through the same process again.”

Norma was supported by Sophie, a cancer exercise specialist, who worked with her to build her cardiovascular fitness and improve her breathing ahead of the surgery.

She also received expert nutritional support before and after her surgery, which helped her adapt her diet in preparation for the operation and understand her dietary requirements afterwards.

Norma said: “I was using a walker and trying to do a bit of walking when I could.

“Sophie encouraged me to start walking uphill and to push myself a bit more, getting out of breath to help improve my lung capacity. She was so encouraging, and I realised I could actually do a lot more than I thought.”

Thankfully, Norma’s operation was successful, and she spent just three days in hospital before returning home to finish her recovery.

She said: “My operation went amazingly well. My recovery this time, compared to my previous operation, was far easier and that’s all down to Active Together.

“The exercises I was given helped tremendously, and I really believe they made the difference in speeding up my recovery.”

Stuart Griffiths, director of research, policy and impact at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “It is encouraging to see the Government recognise prehabilitation and rehabilitation as essential components of cancer care and treatment.

“However, evidence from the charity’s Active Together service shows the most life-changing benefits come from structured, personalised cancer exercise treatment provided through one-to-one sessions and group classes – before, during and after cancer treatment.

“Evidence from the Calderdale and Huddersfield service will help strengthen the case for why tailored exercise, nutrition and wellbeing support delivered by cancer specialists should be made available to everyone facing a cancer diagnosis.”

Maureen Overton, lead cancer manager at Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Being able to offer Active Together to people with cancer across the area is an important part of being able to deliver personalised care which supports people through their treatment and recovery journey in the best possible way.

“It also will help in maintaining wellbeing and building a support network with other people at what can be a difficult time.

“Work such as this, with our partners across Calderdale and Huddersfield is leading to better outcomes for those with cancer and is important in continuing to improve patient experience throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery.”

Find out more about Active Together at Active Together – Yorkshire Cancer Research