Cancer exercise programme launches at Southampton leisure centres

A research-based initiative to prepare cancer patients for surgery is coming to leisure centres across Southampton.

Researchers at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) developed the programme with Wessex Cancer Alliance. It was first introduced at Bournemouth’s BH Live Active Littledown Centre in 2018 as part of the WesFit trial.

The scheme has already improved the post-surgery experience for hundreds of patients across Bournemouth and Portsmouth. Now, it is being expanded to support people with cancer in Southampton.

Based on evidence from research

Patients who are physically fit are more likely to have better outcomes from surgery. Prehabilitation, or prehab, uses exercise to support patients to improve their fitness beforehand.

WesFit aimed to see if prehab in leisure centres improved surgery outcomes for patients with cancer.

The trial showed patients' physical fitness returned to pre-chemotherapy levels before their surgery. They also had shorter hospital stays and fewer complications afterwards.

Wesfit was part of years of prehabilitation research led in Southampton by Professor Sandy Jack.

Her research forms part of the NIHR Biomedical Research Programme’s perioperative and critical care theme.

Improving cancer patients’ outcomes

The programme is aimed at people aged 18 and over with stage 3 and 4 cancer who are preparing for surgery.

People are referred onto the scheme via their NHS health practitioner. They receive a personalised exercise plan to improve their fitness before their surgery.

Activities include one-to-one personal training. They also include group exercise classes such as cycling, yoga, Pilates and swimming.

Benefits include fewer post-treatment complications and reduced length of stay in hospital. People also report better fitness levels, confidence and quality of life.

Expanding this 'life-changing support'

The scheme is now available at BH Live Active centres in Bitterne, Chamberlayne and The Quays. These are owned by Southampton City Council and operated in partnership with BH Live.

Professor Sandy Jack, co-lead of the prehabilitation service at UHS, said:

"Expanding the offering of prehabilitation in our city is a really positive step in helping people prepare both physically and mentally for cancer treatment, improving recovery and long-term health outcomes."

Sally Rickard, Managing Director at Wessex Cancer Alliance, said:

"We are really pleased that this partnership is continuing to support people with cancer across Wessex."

Karen Tillyer, Southampton Health and Wellbeing Manager at BH Live, said:

“Expanding the PREHAB Cancer programme across our BH Live Active centres is an important step in supporting people through a challenging stage of their cancer journey.

“We’ve already seen how personalised prehabilitation can boost patients’ confidence, fitness and overall recovery.

“Working with University Hospital Southampton and Wessex Cancer Alliance, we’re proud to bring this life‑changing support to even more people in our community.”