This webpage brings together information about physical activity and exercise for people affected by cancer, and for healthcare professionals, across South Yorkshire, Bassetlaw, Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
It includes:
Physical activity means any movement that uses energy.
Examples include:
Key point:
Physical activity includes all movement, not just formal exercise. It can be light, moderate or more active.
Exercise is a type of physical activity that is planned and done on purpose to improve health or fitness.
Examples include:
Key point:
All exercise is physical activity, but not all physical activity is exercise.
In simple terms:
Both physical activity and exercise are helpful for people affected by cancer.
These benefits can apply before, during and after cancer treatment.
These recommendations are based on guidance from the NHS, Macmillan and the World Health Organisation, and also apply to many people affected by cancer.
Aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate activity (such as brisk walking or cycling), or 75 minutes a week of more vigorous activity (such as running or fast swimming).
This can be broken into shorter sessions of 10–15 minutes.
Do muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week (for example resistance exercises, weights or bodyweight exercises).
Try not to sit for long periods. Move regularly where you can.
The links below offer clear, trusted information and support to help people affected by cancer stay active in ways that feel right for them.
Active Together is available across South Yorkshire, including Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham.
It offers free, personalised support to help people with cancer stay as active and well as possible. This can include:
Support may be available before, during and after cancer treatment, and is provided in partnership with NHS services and local organisations.
For more information, visit Yorkshire Cancer Research or speak to your healthcare team.
The following online training and learning resources support health and care professionals to understand, promote and confidently discuss physical activity, exercise and cancer.
e-Learning for Healthcare Professionals (e-LfH)
E-learning to support healthcare professionals working with people affected by cancer. Topics include:
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals PALMS
A link to the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals PALMS (online training and education site), which is free to register as a health and care professional, which details all cancer education and training that is linked to the Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme (ACCEND) framework.
Exercise and physical activity after stoma surgery – best practice recommendations
New best practice recommendations have recently been published on physical activity and exercise after stoma surgery.
These recommendations have been developed to help healthcare professionals support people safely and confidently to be more active after surgery with a stoma. They are based on current evidence and expert consensus and focus on practical, patient-centred guidance.
The resources below provide additional national and international guidance, evidence and policy context on physical activity. They are optional and intended for professionals who want to explore the topic in more depth.
UK Government
Health Matters: Physical Activity – prevention and management of long-term conditions (2020)
This resource highlights the unique role healthcare professionals play in supporting physical activity, including:
UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines
The national guidelines for physical activity across the life course.
NICE guidance on physical activity
Includes guidance on brief advice for adults in primary care and preventing weight gain.
NICE: Physical activity: brief advice for adults in primary care
