The main advantages of exercising at home are that it is time efficient and convenient. It does not, however, have the social interaction of group activities unless you can invite a friend round to exercise with you. Do not be shy to do this because exercise with someone else is always more fun and usually ensures a higher level of activity. Furthermore, most people are keen to help after a diagnosis of cancer and what better way to do so!

Here are some ideas how to exercise at home:

• try to be organized; it is very easy to make excuses for not exercising
• it is also worth having a semi-formal program to follow and stick to it
• buy some of the many useful gadgets available to make it more feasible (exercise bikes, treadmills, rowing machines, etc)
• alternatively, follow an exercise video - there are literary thousands to choose from but set aside a good hour preferably when an interruption is unlikely
• remember to stretch before and after the exercise
• try to get a little breathless and sweaty
• if you can afford a personal trainer to come to the house, it would be a good investment in your health; most would be sympathetic to your abilities and needs and will keep you focused and motivated
• reward yourself with a nice shower or bath afterwards; consider massaging yourself with olive oils before getting into the shower on the previously treated or sun exposed areas

And remember - exercise is fun!

Further general information Your doctors and specialist nurses are in an ideal position to give you relevant information on your disease and treatment as they know your individual circumstances. Cancerbackup has a help line (0808 800 1234) and a prize winning video available in English, Italian, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati & Hindi explaining Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy. Cancernet.co.uk has over 500 pages describing cancer, its management, practical tips and tool which patients, their carers and their doctors have found helpful during the cancer journey.