Staff from NHS Forth Valley’s Core Cancer and Physiotherapy Teams laced up their running shoes to take part in the recent Maggie’s 5K Chase, raising funds for Maggie’s Forth Valley and showing their support for people affected by cancer across the region.
Representing NHS Forth Valley at the event were Lisa Dods and Stephanie Miller from the Core Cancer Team, alongside Fiona Mackie and Anya Tilley from the Physiotherapy Team.
The team took part to support Maggie’s Forth Valley, a valued partner which is currently working alongside NHS Forth Valley to deliver a new Cancer Prehabilitation Physical Activity Pilot.
Based at Maggie’s Forth Valley, the six-week programme helps people living with cancer prepare physically and mentally for treatment through specialist exercise sessions and personalised behaviour change support. The pilot is led by Anya Tilley, a Cancer Exercise Specialist, who supports participants to build confidence, improve fitness and develop healthy habits that can continue long after the programme ends. Participants also receive a four-week local gym membership to help maintain their activity levels.
The project was developed by Lisa Dods, Macmillan Health Improvement Practitioner Specialist for Prehabilitation, and Robbie Meldrum, Health Improvement Physical Activity Lead, working in partnership with Maggie’s, the Physiotherapy Team, the University of Stirling’s Physiotherapy Department and MSc Physiotherapy students, Active Forth and Active Stirling.
Lisa said: “We are incredibly grateful to Maggie’s for supporting this pilot and providing a welcoming space where patients can access specialist exercise support during a challenging time in their lives. Taking part in the Maggie’s 5K Chase was our way of giving something back and helping raise funds so that Maggie’s can continue providing its fantastic services to people affected by cancer across Forth Valley.”
Robbie added: “This pilot will help people affected by cancer become more active and better prepared for treatment. The Health Improvement Team has provided funding to train a Level 4 Cancer Exercise Specialist, helping us deliver safe, evidence-based exercise support for people living with cancer.”
Research shows that appropriate physical activity before, during and after cancer treatment can help improve physical fitness, muscle strength and emotional wellbeing, while reducing fatigue, supporting recovery and enhancing overall quality of life.
The pilot forms part of wider efforts to develop cancer prehabilitation services across Forth Valley. If successful, there are plans to expand the programme to offer both prehabilitation and rehabilitation exercise classes for cancer patients across the region.
Fiona Mackie, AHP Coordinator for MSK Physiotherapy, said: “Physical activity can play an important role in helping people prepare for treatment and recover afterwards. This pilot brings together healthcare professionals and community partners to provide practical support that can make a real difference to patients’ lives.”
As well as raising vital funds for Maggie’s Forth Valley, the 5K Chase provided an opportunity to highlight the benefits of staying active throughout the cancer journey and raise awareness of the support available through the new Cancer Prehabilitation Physical Activity Pilot.
Patients can be referred through their Clinical Nurse Specialist, Maggie’s Forth Valley or the Macmillan One-to-One Team. For further information, email fv.cancerprehabexercise@nhs.scot
