What do we do?
We provide you with opportunities to improve your fitness prior to having surgery as part of your cancer treatment. Patients who are physically fitter cope with, and recover from, surgery better and we work closely with an expert NHS team to ensure that you are as ready as possible for surgery.
You’ll join an intensive exercise programme, prescribed by our NHS colleagues, and designed to help prepare your body for cancer treatment. It’s our job to give you as much support as possible while you complete the exercise programme.
Research found that patients who complete exercise training programmes have returned to pre-treatment levels of fitness, or even improved and gained a healthier lifestyle. In comparison, those who didn’t complete exercise training found that their fitness levels dropped after chemotherapy or remained relatively similar to those before treatment.
How do we do it?
We work with your surgical team at Derriford Hospital. They choose the most suitable patients for this service and then we work together to supervise the exercise programme which will work best for you. We have lots of experience of helping people get fit and we’re very good at doing this in a friendly, supportive environment.
The multi-disciplinary teams at Derriford Hospital will make referral decisions based on individual need and this service might be part of the treatment pathway that they have put together.
When: Sessions take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 09:00 until 17:00.
Where: Marjon Sport and Health Centre
Dr Saul Bloxman has a PhD in Exercise Physiology and is the founder of Marjon Health & Wellbeing, to empower people to make healthy lifestyle choices, by learning together in supported non-medical settings.
Ben Jane holds an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science and is a qualified, practising Fitness Instructor.
“ “I’m much more positive. I think ‘Yes, I can do this! I believe it’s going to help me with the operation and recovery... I’m doing all I can to help myself.”
"The set up at Marjon is very impressive, with a lovely gym and other sporting facilities including a swimming pool. We’ve decided to all keep in touch by meeting on a Thursday morning to not only ensure we keep hydration up by drinking decaf coffee, but also to share and encourage each other!“ “