Pioneering research-backed cancer exercise treatment service launches in Airedale

People with cancer living in Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven are now able to benefit from Active Together, a research-backed cancer exercise treatment service funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and designed by Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre.  

Delivered by cancer exercise specialists and physiotherapists at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, the service helps people prepare for and recover from cancer treatment. 

Active Together is underpinned by well-established scientific evidence showing that exercise can increase survival, improve recovery and reduce the risk of cancer coming back.  

Exercise for people with cancer is not widely available through the NHS, so Yorkshire Cancer Research is rolling out the Active Together service across the region to ensure more people can benefit from this essential treatment.

By embedding Active Together in local leisure centres and community venues, including Active North Yorkshire Skipton and The Leisure Centre, Keighley, Active Together supports the NHS’s ambition to move care out of hospitals and into communities. 

Nicky Hill, Head of Active Together at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: “Active Together is changing the way we think about cancer treatment. We now know ‘rest is best’ is no longer the right message. By helping people build fitness before treatment, recover more quickly afterwards, and better manage the side effects of treatment, this service is revolutionising how we approach healthcare for people with cancer and transforming survival. 

Since launching in 2022, more than 2,000 people across Yorkshire have benefitted from Active Together, which also includes nutrition and wellbeing support. An evaluation by Sheffield Hallam University found that people who took part were more likely to survive at least one year after diagnosis, with a 10% higher one-year survival rate compared to those who did not take part.  

Research shows that regular exercise before, during and after cancer treatment can help people tolerate treatment better, access treatment options not previously available to them, and experience fewer complications from surgery. Participants in Active Together also experienced reduced fatigue, lower levels of anxiety, and fewer symptoms of low mood and depression. Many were able to walk further and recover more quickly following surgery, and treatment costs were lower for those who received the service.

Victoria Bates, from Oakworth, has shared her experience of exercise following a cancer diagnosis to help support the launch of Active Together in Airedale. The mum-of-four completed the London Marathon in 2022 while receiving chemotherapy sessions for breast cancer. She attributes the accomplishment to her determination to not give up physical activity.  

Victoria, who is now taking Tamoxifen to reduce the risk of her cancer returning, said: “Continuing to exercise despite my diagnosis was, for me, the best thing I could have possibly done. Every time I went on a run, it gave me such a physical and psychological boost, and I would have really struggled to get back to fitness otherwise. However, I know I would have benefited even more from a professional, personalised guiding hand, like Active Together. That’s why it’s fantastic the service is now available to other people going through cancer in my community.”

Active Together Airedale is aiming to help 1,470 people over the next three years. In its first year, the service will help people diagnosed with bowel cancer, followed by breast cancer. In its second year, the service will expand to include lung and upper gastrointestinal cancers. People must be referred by their oncologist, surgeon, consultant, cancer clinical nurse specialist or another hospital healthcare professional, with referrals from GPs expected to be introduced in future phases. 

Dr Tamsin Gregory, Consultant Anaesthetist and Clinical Lead for Active Together at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, is part of the team leading the introduction of Active Together in Airedale. 

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for leisure, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “It’s brilliant to be working with Yorkshire Cancer Research on this important initiative, which will provide specialist help for those preparing for or recovering from cancer treatment.

“Our new sport and active wellbeing service, Active North Yorkshire, was launched in September 2024 with the aim of creating first-class health and wellbeing hubs across the county that support our communities to be more active.

“This is a great example of how we are working closely with healthcare professionals and other local services to provide a wide range of support programmes for residents.”

Sir Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon said: “I am pleased to see Yorkshire Cancer Research bringing the Active Together programme to Craven. This initiative is making a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer, and I am grateful for the charity’s continued commitment to improving health outcomes across our region.”