Pioneering cancer exercise treatment now available for people with cancer in Hull

People with cancer in Hull will be offered research-backed exercise treatment following the launch of a pioneering cancer service in the city.

Working in partnership with NHS Humber Health Partnership, Yorkshire Cancer Research has launched its Active Together service at its dedicated new centre in Hull, bringing the scientifically proven benefits of exercise treatment to people diagnosed with cancer.    

Nearly 3,000 people across Yorkshire have already benefitted from Active Together, which helps people prepare for and recover from their cancer treatment. The service is underpinned by well-established scientific evidence that shows exercise can increase survival, improve recovery from treatment and reduce the risk of cancer coming back.  

The launch of Active Together at the new Yorkshire Cancer Research centre in Hull, the eighth area to offer the service in Yorkshire, marks a crucial next step in the charity’s mission to make exercise treatment available to more people with cancer across the region.  

Sadly, Hull remains one of the areas in Yorkshire hardest hit by cancer. Every week, 83 people are diagnosed with cancer in Hull and East Riding and sadly, 38 people die from it. Expanding Active Together into the heart of the city will help address inequalities, ensuring more people with cancer can benefit from vital cancer exercise treatment closer to home.

The service is launched in Hull as the Government has committed to make exercise before cancer treatment (prehabilitation) digitally available to everyone diagnosed with cancer via the NHS, as well as exercise after cancer treatment (rehabilitation) available to people diagnosed with cancer with higher levels of medical need.  

Published last week, the National Cancer Plan specifically referenced evidence from Yorkshire Cancer Research’s Active Together service, which has led the way in showing how structured, personalised, research-backed cancer exercise treatment, alongside nutrition and wellbeing support, can improve survival.

"Evidence from Active Together in Hull will continue to build the case for why exercise – before, during and after treatment - should be available to everyone facing a cancer diagnosis in Yorkshire and beyond. The charity looks forward to working with the NHS, the Government and people affected by cancer to develop a clear and ambitious roadmap to achieve this.”

After her most recent cancer diagnosis in January 2024, Linda Brown from Cottingham, along with her close friend Heather, became passionate about helping people with cancer access life-changing treatment and support.

Linda and Heather’s friendship began in 2016 while they were both undergoing cancer treatment at the Queen’s Centre at Castle Hill Hospital. The pair first met at a wellbeing event for people with cancer and soon formed a special bond after attending a follow-up session, where they learnt how to use hair wraps for chemotherapy-related hair loss. 

Linda believes Active Together will make a huge difference to people affected by cancer in Hull, offering them the life-changing benefits of exercise, alongside a strong sense of community and wellbeing support.

She said: “I’m so pleased people with cancer in my city will have the opportunity to take part in tailored exercise treatment, be supported by cancer experts and meet other people affected by cancer in their local community. No one should feel alone when coping with a cancer diagnosis.”

Earlier this year, Linda and Heather visited the new Yorkshire Cancer Centre in Hull, using their own experiences of cancer to provide vital feedback on the space and facilities. 

After their visit, Linda said:

During an initial pilot phase, the Active Together Hull service will be available to people diagnosed with colorectal and upper gastrointestinal cancers, who must be referred by their consultant or clinical nurse specialist through the NHS Humber Health Partnership. It will later expand to include other cancer types.  

The service in Hull will help build crucial evidence on how exercise should be provided for people with different cancer types and at different stages of their cancer experience.  

Leading the team of experts bringing pioneering exercise treatment to people with cancer in Hull is James Clark.

James brings experience of helping people prepare for and recover from their cancer treatment, having previously worked at Active Together in Sheffield, where the service was originally designed by researchers at the Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre. 

James said: “Exercise can play a hugely important role in helping people cope with their cancer treatment, particularly when support starts early. By working with people at the point of diagnosis, we can help them get fitter, stronger and more confident as they prepare for treatment.”

Located at Cherry Tree Court on Ferensway, the new Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre is a 6,000 sq ft, purpose-built centre, offering tailored one-to-one exercise sessions and cancer-specific group classes. Inside, the centre features a spacious group exercise studio, a dedicated cardio studio, and consultation rooms for assessments and exercise, nutrition and wellbeing appointments. 

Through Active Together, Yorkshire Cancer Research aims to demonstrate the life-saving impact of personalised exercise to the worldwide research community and to those who deliver cancer treatment, including the NHS, so that exercise can be prescribed to everyone with cancer, no matter who they are or where they live.  

James said: “I’ve seen how vital exercise is for people undergoing cancer treatment. Surgery places huge demands on the body, and to safely get through an operation the heart, lungs and muscles all need to be strong enough to cope with the physical stress involved.  

I’ve worked with people who were initially told they weren’t fit enough for surgery. After taking part in Active Together, they were able to improve their fitness to a point where potentially life-saving cancer treatment could become an option again.”

He concluded: “Alongside the physical changes, you also see a real shift in confidence, wellbeing and people’s ability to get back to living their lives. Active Together is all about helping people feel more in control at what can be one of the most difficult times in their lives.” 

Nicky Hill, Head of Active Together at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "There is a growing body of global evidence that shows exercise can help to prevent cancer and improve survival. 

Dr Rajarshi Roy, Consultant in Oncology at the Queen's Centre, Castle Hill Hospital said:

“Asking patients to attend exercise classes when they have a life-changing cancer diagnosis and are either preparing for major surgery or going through treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy may seem counter-intuitive to patients and their carers.  

However, in recent years, several research studies have conclusively shown that monitored regular exercise which does not put undue stress on a patient's physical and mental health can play a significant role in making cancer treatments work better, helping patients stay cancer-free for longer, improving wellbeing, and delivering improved quality of life with better survival. When such a programme is delivered alongside other appropriate support services, like nutritional advice and psychological support, it can bring huge benefits for patients.