Charity Urges NHS to Offer Exercise to Cancer Patients

A leading UK charity, Maggie’s, is calling on the NHS to integrate exercise programmes into standard cancer care. It recommends options like yoga, tai chi and Nordic walking for the 386,000 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year. 

The charity argues that such physical activities improve survival rates, reduce tumour recurrence and relieve symptoms. It states that embedding these programmes could also cut costs by reducing reliance on doctors and nurses. 

Current research shows patients who took part in structured exercise had better sleep, mental health and pain control. Maggie’s runs around 13,000 exercise sessions annually through its 27 support centres. 

Maggie’s wants the upcoming national cancer plan for England to make exercise a routine part of care. The plan has been delayed, raising concerns from health experts about slower progress in improving cancer outcomes. 

While the NHS acknowledges the benefits of exercise, it has not confirmed when or how it will expand these services nationwide. Experts say that funding, staffing and equitable access will be key issues. 

If adopted widely, this shift could mark a major change in cancer treatment—turning movement and activity into part of standard therapy rather than just lifestyle advice.