Cancer Activity Programme

What is the Cancer Activity Programme (CAP)?

The Cancer Activity Programme (CAP) is a free, 24-week exercise programme designed to support people undergoing hormone therapy (also known as androgen deprivation therapy or ADT) as part of their prostate cancer treatment.

CAP has been developed in partnership with the STAMINA research team at Sheffield Hallam University to ensure the programme is evidence-based for maximal benefit and safety.

As the UK’s largest healthcare charity, we’re proud to offer this programme completely free — with no cost to you or your NHS team.

Through CAP, you can experience the empowering benefits of exercise, helping you move with and beyond cancer.

What can I expect from the programme?

A personalised, supervised exercise plan

In line with the latest national guidelines, CAP combines supervised aerobic and resistance training. This type of exercise has been shown to reduce cancer-related fatigue, support physical function, and improve quality of life during cancer treatment.

CAP is designed to be embedded within your medical care as a key part of your overall treatment plan. It offers structure, supervision, and expert support to help you safely and confidently integrate exercise into your weekly routine.

Access to expert support and facilities

You’ll have access to supervised sessions and full use of your local Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre for 6 months (24 weeks), completely free of charge.

You’ll benefit from:

• Supervised exercise sessions tailored to your needs
• Full access to gym facilities at your local Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre
• A personalised exercise programme
• One-to-one guidance from our Rehabilitation Specialists (who are Clinical Exercise Specialists)
• Support to help you progress towards exercising independently

Continued support after 24 weeks

After the initial 24 weeks, you’ll be invited to take part in a 6-month Graduation Programme. This includes free monthly supervised drop-in sessions and the option to continue using your membership at your Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre at a reduced cost, so you can continue to exercise independently.

Is the programme for me?

CAP is designed for individuals who are currently receiving hormone therapy as part of their prostate cancer treatment.

You can only be referred to this programme by a member of your cancer care team. At this time, we are accepting referrals from selected NHS Trusts only, with plans to expand soon.

View participating NHS Trusts below

What does the programme involve?

Functional assessments and regular check-ins

In your first face-to-face appointment at Nuffield Health, you’ll complete a short functional assessment to review your baseline fitness and functional capabilities. You'll be able to share what type of exercises you enjoy so that your Rehabilitation Specialist can tailor the programme to your individual needs.

The functional assessment will be repeated at:

• Week 12
• Week 24
• Week 52

You’ll also have regular one-to-one check-ins with your Rehabilitation Specialist to:

• Review your goals
• Adjust your programme as needed
• Discuss your progress

Weeks 1–12: Getting started with support

In the first 12 weeks, you’ll attend supervised group exercise sessions twice per week, focusing on both aerobic and resistance training. Each group includes around 8 participants, giving you a supportive environment to share your experiences.

For the first 2 weeks, these sessions will be delivered one-to-one with your Rehabilitation Specialist to help you feel confident performing the exercises in your personal programme and increase your readiness to use the gym equipment independently.

You’ll also have full access to your local Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre completely free of charge from week 1–24.

Weeks 13–24: Building your independence

During this phase, you’ll attend one supervised group session each month. You’ll be encouraged to continue exercising independently twice per week using your complimentary gym membership.

Many participants choose to attend at the same time as their previous sessions for continued social support, but you're also welcome to exercise independently at a time that suits you.

You’ll continue to have full access to your local Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre free of charge.

Weeks 24–52: Graduation and long-term support

In the final 6 months of your programme, you’ll be invited to join our Graduation Programme. This includes free monthly drop-in sessions, giving you ongoing access to support from your Rehabilitation Specialist.

To support your continued independent exercise, you’ll also have the option to access a reduced-cost gym membership at your local Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre. Even if you choose not to take up the membership, you’re still welcome to attend the monthly drop-ins free of charge.

How do I join the programme?

We are currently only accepting referrals from healthcare professionals at the following NHS trusts and Nuffield Health Hospitals, but we hope to add more sites soon:

NHS Trusts

• Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
• University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust – Derriford Hospital

Nuffield Health Hospitals

• Nuffield Health Derby Hospital

If you are a patient at this NHS trust and you're interested in signing up for the programme, please speak to your healthcare professional to refer you.

FAQs

• What should I wear?

  We recommend that you wear clothes that you will feel comfortable to exercise in and shoes that are supportive (e.g. trainers). Shoes will provide grip and protect your foot in the unlikely event that you drop an object on it.

• How might I feel during and after exercise?

  During exercise, your body will pump blood to your working muscles more quickly than when you are at rest. As a result, you may notice one or more of the following changes to your body, all of which are normal responses to exercise:

  • heavier, quicker breathing
  • increased heart rate
  • increased body temperature
  • redness in the face
  • slight muscle ache/discomfort

  
  

  After exercising, you may experience muscle soreness, slight joint pain, or fatigue, especially if you have not exercised for some time or have changed your usual exercise routine. This is normal, may start 12-24 hours after exercise and may last for several days. With time it is likely that you will notice improvements in your levels of fatigue.

• Will I get to meet other people on the programme?

  Your supervised exercise sessions will initially be one-to-one with a rehabilitation specialist to offer you optimal support while you become familiar with your exercise programme.

  Thereafter, your supervised exercise sessions will be delivered in small groups of up to 10 people. You will still follow your tailored programme and receive individualised feedback from the rehab specialist while having the opportunity to meet new people, make friends and have additional social support (if that's of interest to you).

• What is the STAMINA trial?

  The STAMINA trial, led by Sheffield Hallam University and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is the largest study of its kind to date. It was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of long-term, supported exercise for men with advanced prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

  Although full results are due to be published in late 2025, the trial builds on over a decade of collaborative research. In partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, Nuffield Health is using the insights from STAMINA to develop structured, safe, and supportive exercise programmes for people living with cancer.

  To learn more, visit: www.stamina.org.uk

• Will my cancer treatment affect my ability to exercise?

  Your exercise programme will be tailored to your current health and treatment status. Our Rehabilitation Specialists are trained to work with people going through cancer treatment, and will adapt your sessions accordingly so they are specific and safe for you.