Live Active at Tameside Macmillan Unit

When you are living with or after cancer, becoming more active can be a positive change to make in your life.

Tameside`s Live Active service is here to provide advice and support around all aspects of exercise.

Being physically active, along with eating a healthy diet, can help reduce the risk of recurrence for some cancer types and increase survival. It also helps reduce the risk of developing other health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Being active before, during and after treatment can:

• reduce tiredness (fatigue)

• improve your quality of life

• help look after your heart

• reduce anxiety and depression

• help you maintain a healthy weight

• strengthen your muscles, joints and bones

• improve your flexibility and help keep you supple

• increase your confidence.

At first, you might be nervous about starting and building up your activity, especially if you haven’t been active for a while. You may worry that you are too tired, don’t know how to start or don’t know what is best for you to do. You may also be concerned about injuring yourself. But even a little physical activity is better than none at all. It can help you feel less stressed and lift your spirits if you’re feeling low. It will also help you feel more in control, because you are doing something positive for yourself. Live Active at here to support you to build and maintain an exercise plan which is safe, achievable and most of all right for you.

Before treatment

If you know you are going to have surgery, your doctor might encourage you to start some physical activity before your operation. This may help with your recovery.

During treatment

During treatment, it is best to avoid sitting or lying for long periods in the daytime. It is a good idea to do some gentle activity, such as short walks throughout the day. During treatment you may be tired and think that exercise will make this worse. Your family and friends may advise you to ‘take it easy’. But studies have shown that if you are not active, you may feel more tired and lose muscle strength and stamina. Physical stamina is how well your heart and lungs cope with walking quickly or running for a few minutes. Regular activity will reduce the risk of blood clots (thrombosis). These are more common after cancer, especially if you:

• have recently had surgery, chemotherapy or a hormonal therapy

• spend a lot of time not moving.

After treatment

After treatment, being physically active can help you cope with and recover from some side effects.

Being physically active after treatment is a positive step in your recovery. It may help reduce the risk of certain cancers coming back. It may also help you manage and reduce the risk of:

• late effects of treatment such as tiredness

• weight gain

• other health problems.

For more information on physical activity or to attend our live active sessions at the Tameside Macmillan Unit, please contact the Macmillan information and Support Service team 0161 922 5644 or email macmillan.info@tgh.nhs.uk

Drop in sessions are available however please call before making a special journey to ensure that the session is available on the day.