Why is being active important for my health?

Being active can help to reduce common symptoms and side-effects from treatment, such as fatigue and pain. It can help you feel less stressed and lift your spirits if you’re feeling low. It can also help you to feel more in control, because it feels like you are doing something positive for yourself.

Physical activity can reduce the risk of hip fractures by 68%, depression by 30%, cardiovascular disease by 35%, Type 2 diabetes by 40% and joint and back pain by 25%

It is often safe to do during or after treatment and is unlikely to do you any harm. If you are worried about how much to do, start slowly and build up gradually. Even a little physical activity is better than none at all.

Regular and adequate levels of physical activity can:

• improve muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness.
• improve bone and functional health.
• reduce the risk of hypertension.
• reduce the risk of falls as well as hip or vertebral fractures.