Pioneering cancer exercise programme to open in Wakefield, Pontefract and Dewsbury

People with cancer in Wakefield, Pontefract and Dewsbury will soon have the chance to take part in a pioneering exercise service funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The programme will offer personalised fitness, nutrition and wellbeing support to help people prepare for, respond to and recover after treatment, with an aim to increase the likelihood of survival and reduce the risk of cancer coming back.

The service, due to open later this year, will be provided in partnership with Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, Wakefield Council Aspire Heath and Kirklees Active Leisure, and is expected to help more than 3,000 patients in its first three years.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is providing £1.9 million which will pay for the programme delivery team, including a dietitian and physical training instructors, and other costs such as gym memberships. The funding will last three years.

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research said:

“The programme will form part of the biggest global study into exercise and cancer, helping to drive forward worldwide understanding of how exercise can be introduced as a standard part of cancer treatment.”

Evidence shows that exercise before, during and after a cancer diagnosis can increase treatment options, while reducing side effects and complications and speeding up recovery from other treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy.

Exercise can also increase the likelihood of survival. It can reduce the risk of dying from cancer by up to 44% in those who are physically active compared to those who are inactive 1, and the risk of cancer coming back in the future could be reduced by up to 66% 2.

Keely Clawson, Lead Cancer Nurse at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, said: "We’re really proud to be working with Yorkshire Cancer Research, alongside Wakefield Council Aspire Heath and Kirklees Active Leisure on this exciting new programme.

“Exercise can make a huge difference to patients’ recovery time, wellbeing and quality of life. We look forward to seeing patients take part in and benefit from this pioneering service in West Yorkshire.”

The programme will be the second exercise service funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research to open in Yorkshire. It follows the success of the charity’s Active Together service in Sheffield, which was launched in February 2022, in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

A service in Harrogate will also open later this year at a dedicated exercise research centre incorporating fitness studios, a café, shop and donation centre.

1. Cormie et al (2017): The Impact of Exercise on Cancer Mortality, Recurrence, and Treatment-Related Adverse Effects - PubMed (nih.gov)
2. The effect of exercise on disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with breast cancer - PubMed (nih.gov)

Nikki Brady, PR Manager, Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Tel: 07814 255159

Email: nikki.brady@ycr.org.uk