Cancer patients invited to join Head & Neck Support Group
The next meeting of the Head & Neck Support Group takes place on Friday at York Hospital – and cancer patients, their relatives, carers and friends are welcome to come along.
Meeting every three months, the group is open to anyone affected by head and neck cancer. The meetings last around two hours and take place in the head & neck department at York Hospital on Wigginton Road.
There is usually a guest speaker and then time for informal conversation with other group members and health care professionals. Refreshments are provided.
The next meeting is on Friday, March 14 with guest speaker Greg Hayward from the HEAL Programme.
Introducing the HEAL Programme
Delivered by City of York Council’s sport and active leisure department, HEAL stands for Health, Exercise, Activity and Lifestyle.
Research has proved exercise to be both physiologically and psychologically beneficial for people living with a range of different cancer diagnoses.
Over the last decade health professionals have regularly recommended that people living with and after cancer become more physically active to improve their quality of life.
Physical activity has been well documented in helping to manage some of the negative side-effects of cancer treatment such as fatigue, weight gain, aching muscles and joints and negative self-esteem.
HEAL’s iCANmove gym and circuits class is exclusively for people living with and after cancer, and takes place at Roko Health Club at Clifton Moor on Wednesdays from 2-3pm.
Specialist exercise support and programme provision is provided by the instructor, who is able to make individual exercise adaptations for all fitness levels, exercise experience and stages of cancer diagnosis.
During the first half of the class participants use appropriate cardiovascular machinery to improve aerobic capacity and efficiency. They then exercise on low-intensity circuit stages primarily targeted to improve functional strength, mobility and balance.
For further information please contact head and neck clinical nurse specialist Tracey Goldsbrough on 01904 725726. Or click here to email Tracey.