People with cancer in Calderdale and Huddersfield to benefit from pioneering cancer exercise treatment

People living with cancer in Calderdale and Huddersfield 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 and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, is launching its research-backed exercise treatment service, Active Together, in Huddersfield, Halifax and the wider Calderdale 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. Active Together is currently available in Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham, Wakefield and North Kirklees, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, Harrogate and Hull.  

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 from Bingley, research-backed cancer exercise treatment became a vital part of her recovery from cancer surgery. She joined the Active Together Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven service after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in July 2025.

Norma went to A&E after experiencing bowel problems and after a colonoscopy revealed she had bowel cancer, she was quickly referred for 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.

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 physiotherapist in the Active Together Airedale team, 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. 

The announced expansion into Calderdale and Huddersfield comes as the Government has published its National Cancer Plan to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Plan, which references evidence from the charity’s Active Together service, includes a commitment to make prehabilitation available to everyone diagnosed with cancer through digital technology and provide rehabilitation for some people with cancer. 

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.

Based on current evidence from its Active Together service, Yorkshire Cancer Research estimates that providing prehabilitation and rehabilitation to everyone diagnosed with cancer across England would support more than 67,000 people each year and create almost 60,000 additional years of life.  

Yorkshire Cancer Research will continue to provide evidence from its Active Together service, including the experiences of people who have taken part, to help advance global understanding of how exercise improves cancer treatment and can ultimately save lives.  

Yorkshire Cancer Research will continue working with the NHS, healthcare providers and local communities to provide the evidence needed to ensure that, one day, essential cancer exercise treatment can be made available to everyone living with cancer, no matter who they are or where they live.” 

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.”