Exercise is a healthy and beneficial alternative to an evening spent in a pub or in front of TV. It can and should be sociable and enjoyable - find something which is fun otherwise you will give it up very quickly. Dances and exercise classes are very cordial places and particularly if performed regularly are a forum to make new friendships and acquaintances. 

It is always a question of changing the habits, changing the frame of mind and adopting a fresh approach to socializing. The majority of recreational activities and sports have a strong social aspect to them. There are a lot of choices, perhaps arrange a gathering with family and friends looking at the availability of activities in your area and then decide which one as a group you prefer. The exercise section will provide you with some useful ideas but the choice most often depends on the quality and availability of local recreational activities, all of which can usually be found on the internet.

Some of the recreational sport activities which can be thought of as a good way of socializing and meeting new friends include:

• Walking - social walking groups are available in many areas and are a good way to meet new people, view interesting scenery and exercise to a variety of ability levels.

• Golf is a good encouragement to walk and clubs are available throughout the world for all levels.

• Cycling socially with the family or part of a daily commute, even if only once or twice a week, can be fun and even save money.

• Exercise classes  There are numerous enjoyable ways to exercise in groups at a variety of levels. Many of these are available at the local gym or sports hall. The most common classes include aerobics, water aerobics, spinning, body pump and circuit training.

• Stretching classes Stretching is essential before and after any exercise. Yoga and pilates are fantastic for balance and core strength both of which are often impaired by cancer treatments especially if steroids have also been given, for example during chemotherapy. They are also recommended for joint and muscle subtlety and posture.

• Sport - traditional sports remain excellent outlets for stress and exercise. They often require more organisation than simply turning up for a class as they usually involve a group. Your local sports centre, however, sometimes brings groups together without having to organise it yourself for a range of activities from 5-aside football, squash, tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball and netball.

• Dance There are numerous dance classes available in most towns either in private or municipal gyms or dance studios. The most common choices include conventional ballroom, line dancing, rock & roll, tango, ceroc and salsa. Some traditional studios offer ballet and the more avant-garde jazz funk and even street dance.  

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.