Exercise is one of the most effective tools available to people living with and beyond cancer. At Delta Physiotherapy, our specialist cancer exercise and rehabilitation service supports you at every stage of your journey — whether you are preparing for treatment, managing side effects during chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or rebuilding strength and fitness in recovery. Our clinicians are trained in exercise oncology and work alongside your wider healthcare team to deliver a programme that is safe, evidence-based, and tailored specifically to you.
Put simply, exercise is one of the few interventions available that simultaneously addresses the physical, psychological, and long-term health consequences of cancer and its treatment.
Who We Support
We work with people at any stage of a cancer diagnosis — from prehabilitation before surgery or treatment, through to long-term survivorship. You do not need a GP or oncology team referral to access our service; you can self-refer directly. We also welcome referrals from oncologists, cancer nurse specialists, GPs, and allied health professionals.
What to Expect
Your first appointment is an initial assessment with one of our specialist clinicians. We will take time to understand your diagnosis, treatment history, current symptoms, and personal goals — whether that is managing fatigue, rebuilding strength, returning to work, or getting back to a sport or hobby you love.
From there, we design a personalised exercise programme around you. This might involve one-to-one sessions in our fully equipped gym, a structured home exercise plan, or a combination of both. We track your progress at every stage and adjust your programme as your treatment or recovery evolves.
There are no expectations around fitness levels. Whether you are currently mid-treatment or years into survivorship, we meet you where you are.
What We Can Help With
Our cancer exercise and rehabilitation service is designed to address the physical effects of cancer and its treatment, including:
- Fatigue — the most common and often most debilitating side effect of treatment
- Deconditioning — loss of strength, fitness, and functional capacity during or after treatment
- Breathlessness and reduced cardiovascular fitness
- Muscle weakness and joint stiffness following surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy
- Weight changes and body composition associated with treatment
- Low mood, anxiety, and reduced confidence — exercise has a well-evidenced role in psychological wellbeing during cancer care
- Peripheral neuropathy — exercise-based management of treatment-related nerve symptoms
- Bone health — safe, bone-loading exercise for those on hormone therapies or with skeletal involvement
The Benefits of Exercise During and After Cancer Treatment
The evidence is compelling and growing. Regular, appropriately prescribed exercise has been shown to improve outcomes across a wide range of cancer types and at every stage of the disease. This is not about pushing through treatment or achieving peak fitness — it is about using movement as medicine, in a way that is carefully matched to your body and your circumstances.
Physical Benefits
- Reduced fatigue — exercise is currently the most effective intervention for cancer-related fatigue, outperforming rest and many pharmacological approaches
- Improved strength and physical function — helping you maintain independence and carry out everyday activities during and after treatment
- Better cardiovascular fitness — supporting heart and lung health, which can be affected by certain chemotherapy agents and radiotherapy
- Healthier body composition — preserving lean muscle mass and managing treatment-related weight changes
- Stronger bones — particularly important for those on hormone therapies, which can reduce bone density
- Reduced risk of lymphoedema — appropriately progressed exercise is now known to be safe and beneficial for those at risk
- Improved immune function — emerging evidence suggests regular exercise supports immune health during treatment
Psychological and Emotional Benefits
- Reduced anxiety and depression — exercise has a well-established positive effect on mood and mental health, which can be significantly affected by a cancer diagnosis
- Improved sleep quality — disrupted sleep is extremely common during treatment; exercise is one of the most effective non-medication interventions
- Greater sense of control — one of the most consistently reported experiences from patients is that exercise restores a feeling of ‘being in control’ during a period that can feel overwhelmingly out of their hands
- Improved self-confidence and body image — particularly relevant during and after treatments that affect physical appearance or function
- Reduced cognitive difficulties — sometimes called “chemo brain,” exercise has emerging evidence as a protective and restorative intervention for treatment-related cognitive changes
Long-Term and Survival Benefits
Perhaps most significantly, there is strong and growing evidence that regular exercise after a cancer diagnosis is associated with reduced risk of recurrence and improved survival outcomes in several of the most common cancer types, including breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. The World Health Organisation, Macmillan Cancer Support, and the American College of Sports Medicine all now include physical activity as a core component of cancer care — not an optional add-on.
Put simply, exercise is one of the few interventions available that simultaneously addresses the physical, psychological, and long-term health consequences of cancer and its treatment.
Our Approach
We follow the latest evidence and national guidelines, including those from Macmillan Cancer Support and the American College of Sports Medicine, which are clear that exercise is not only safe during cancer treatment — it is recommended. Our clinicians hold specialist training in cancer exercise delivery and operate within a robust clinical governance framework, so you can be confident your care is safe, appropriate, and professionally led.
Every programme is risk-stratified to your individual circumstances. We liaise with your oncology team where needed and adapt your sessions around treatment cycles, blood counts, surgical restrictions, or any other clinical considerations.
Our cancer exercise sessions take place in our fully equipped rehabilitation gym. The gym is stocked with a comprehensive range of equipment to support every stage of your programme — from resistance machines and free weights to cardiovascular equipment and functional training tools — meaning your sessions can progress and evolve as your strength and fitness improve. We have dedicated male and female changing rooms on site, so you can arrive, change, and leave in comfort and privacy. We want your visit to feel as straightforward and welcoming as possible, removing any practical barriers that might otherwise put you off attending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. For the vast majority of people, exercise is not only safe during cancer treatment — it is actively recommended. The key is that your programme is designed and supervised by a clinician with specialist training in cancer exercise, who can account for your diagnosis, treatment type, and current physical condition. At Delta Physio, every programme is individually risk-stratified before you begin, and adapted continuously as your treatment progresses.
No. You can self-refer directly to our cancer exercise and rehabilitation service. If you would prefer your GP, oncologist, cancer nurse specialist, or another health professional to refer you, we welcome that too. Either way, with your consent we are happy to liaise with your wider healthcare team to ensure your programme is coordinated with your overall care.
Yes, in most cases. We regularly work with people who are mid-treatment and design sessions around your treatment schedule, energy levels, and any clinical precautions — such as infection risk during periods of low immunity, or fatigue following treatment cycles. We will always review your current status before each phase of your programme and adjust accordingly.
Not at all. The benefits of exercise extend well into survivorship, and many people find that the months or years after treatment ends are actually the point at which they most want structured support to rebuild their strength and fitness. Whether you finished treatment recently or several years ago, our service is open to you.
No. We work with people across the full spectrum of fitness and experience — from those who have never followed a structured exercise programme to former athletes managing the effects of treatment. Your programme will be built around where you are right now, not where you think you should be. There are no expectations, and no judgement.
Your initial appointment is an assessment, not an exercise session. We will talk through your diagnosis and treatment history, any symptoms you are currently experiencing, your goals, and any concerns you have. We will also carry out a physical assessment to understand your current strength, fitness, and functional capacity. From there, we design your personalised programme and discuss what your sessions will look like going forward.
Your exercises will be adapted based on your circumstances. Some people will benefit more from gentle aerobic exercise and flexibility, whilst others may benefit from strength training and functional movement. Your exercise programme will be bespoke to your needs, treatment, and goals.
This varies from person to person and depends on your goals, diagnosis, and where you are in your treatment or recovery. We will give you a clear indication of a recommended programme following your initial assessment. Some people engage with us intensively over a shorter period; others prefer ongoing support across a longer timeframe. We will always work around what is right for you.
Your initial assessment is always one-to-one with a specialist clinician, ensuring your programme is built around your individual needs from the outset. Ongoing sessions are also available on a one-to-one basis, and your clinician can monitor and adjust your programme in real time based on how you are feeling on any given day.
For those who are able to, we also offer small group cancer exercise classes. These run with a maximum of 8 people and are always led by a specialist clinician, so the standard of supervision and safety remains the same. Many people find the group setting an added source of motivation and connection — being able to share the experience with others who understand what cancer treatment involves can be a meaningful part of the journey. Whether one-to-one or group suits you best, we will discuss the options at your initial assessment and help you find the right fit.
We have experience working with people with complex presentations, including those with bone metastases, lymphoedema, peripheral neuropathy, and significant deconditioning. Your programme will be designed with appropriate modifications and precautions in place. Where needed, we will liaise directly with your oncology team before commencing or progressing your exercise plan.
There is strong and growing evidence that regular exercise after a cancer diagnosis is associated with reduced recurrence risk and improved survival in several common cancer types, including breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. While exercise is not a guaranteed protection against recurrence, it is one of the most significant modifiable factors available — alongside diet and smoking cessation — and is now formally recommended as part of cancer care by organisations including Macmillan Cancer Support, the World Health Organisation, and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Please contact us directly for current pricing. Our initial assessment and follow-up session fees are available on request, and we are happy to discuss programme options to suit your needs and circumstances.
Start Your Cancer Exercise Journey
Taking the first step can feel daunting, particularly if you are mid-treatment or have been told to rest. We are here to make that step as straightforward as possible. Whether you have specific goals in mind or simply want to understand how exercise might help you, we would love to hear from you.
Self-Refer
You can refer yourself directly using our online referral form. We will be in touch within two working days to arrange your initial assessment and answer any questions you have beforehand.
Professional Referrals
We welcome referrals from GPs, oncologists, cancer nurse specialists, physiotherapists, and all allied health professionals. Our referral form is quick to complete and we will contact your patient directly to arrange their appointment. With patient consent, we are happy to provide progress updates and discharge summaries to support continuity of care.
If you would like to speak to someone before referring or booking, our team is happy to help.
📞 0161 641 3900
📧 info@deltaphysio.co.uk
📍 Delta Physiotherapy, 49-51 Mount Road, Middleton, Manchester M24 1DY
We aim to respond to all enquiries within one working day.