Cancer Coach
Online cancer exercise specialist. Bespoke fitness and exercise coaching for cancer patients and survivors
Hello! I’m Steph. I offer online cancer fitness coaching for cancer patients and survivors to help you take back control, rebuild your confidence and turn your cancer journey into a positive - before, during and after treatment
What is Cancer Fitness Coaching?
Online personal training for cancer patients, designed to suit YOU. I create tailor made cancer exercise coaching, that fits in with your treatment, lifestyle and goals. As a cancer exercise specialist, I work closely with you to understand what you are going through and design a fitness and wellbeing programme that is fully adapted to your cancer journey, ability level and lifestyle. Delivered online via video calls and a bespoke app, your cancer exercise programme will be realistic and fully personalised. My goal is to create something you will stick to. That you will enjoy. And that will get results.
Most cancer survivors know that exercise is good for us. But many struggle knowing what to do and what is safe. Whether you are new to exercise and don’t know where to start. Or you were previously a regular exerciser but feel lost about what is safe after treatment, I am here to help. Perhaps you’re battling with the side effects from hormone therapy. Are worried about lymphoedema after surgery. Or want help with weight management after cancer treatment. Maybe you are ready to set a goal and plan to enter a race when you’ve finished treatment.
Wherever you are in your exercise and cancer journey, I’m here to support you.
Who am I ?
Steph Lightfoot, Cancer Fitness Coach
Mum, athlete, breast cancer survivor
I am a cancer exercise specialist, wellbeing coach, sports therapist, personal trainer, yoga teacher, kettlebell instructor, triathlon coach and ice cream addict. I believe in balance
I have had cancer. I understand
Cancer Exercise Coaching
Exercise and cancer - WHY is it so important for cancer patients and survivors to exercise? Why is working with a cancer exercise coach or cancer personal trainer the key to success? Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence of many common cancers. For some cancers by over 30%. Read that again. If you exercise regularly, your cancer is less likely to come back. Exercise during cancer treatment reduces the side effects. It reduces your recovery time from surgery. Movement helps chemotherapy work better. And exercise after cancer helps you bounce back to a better version of you when it’s all over. Wherever you are in your travels through cancer, NOW is the time to unleash the power of movement.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is life changing. And terrifying. And lonely. It might not be the first thing to spring to mind, but having cancer is also the time to make lasting, positive changes to your fitness and lifestyle. Why? Because you deserve to be the healthiest, strongest and most confident version of you.
In June 2025, a 10 year study on cancer and exercise was presented at ASCO (The American Society of Clinical Oncology). It proved - again - the importance of exercise for cancer patients in reducing the risk of recurrence. It also proved that those patients who worked with a cancer exercise specialist or cancer personal trainer saw the best results and had the lowest likelihood of recurrence. Why? Trust. Expertise. Support. Confidence. Understanding. Accountability.
Cancer Coaching Menu
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Survivor
I’ve finished active cancer treatment but I don’t feel like me. I want my energy and my body back. I want to make lasting changes to my lifestyle.
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In treatment
I’m in the middle of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or I’ve recently had surgery. Help me cope with the side effects and stay fit and strong.
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Prehab
I am due to have cancer surgery or start cancer treatment soon and I want to get in the best shape I can before my treatment starts.
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Keep Going
I’ve completed an initial cancer coaching programme and want ongoing monthly accountability and support to help me reach my goal.
Cancer Coaching Blog
Find out more about cancer coaching
FAQs
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I am a cancer survivor and fitness coach of 15 years. I combine both lived experience and fitness expertise, helping you understand what exercise is safe, achievable and appropriate at all stages in your cancer journey. My goal is to help make your cancer survivorship experience a positive and healthy stage of life - through the power of movement
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“If exercise were a pill, it would be prescribed by all oncologists”. There is a mountain of evidence to prove that exercise helps cancer survivors and patients in so many ways. Controlling side effects, mood, weight. Maintaining and building muscle mass. Helping preventing osteoporosis, heart disease, dementia … and most importantly - HELPING PREVENT RECURRENCE. By up to 30%
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That all depends on you! Your body, your fitness level, how you’re responding to treatment and most importantly, WHAT YOU ENJOY. In an ideal world, you should aim to do a mixture of cardiovascular exercise and strength / resistance training. Try to move at least every other day.
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Cancer coaching is a tailor-made relationship between coach and patient / survivor, to establish the best exercise programme to suit your body, fitness level and goals. Find out more about cancer coaching packages and learn more about Steph Lightfoot, Cancer coach.
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It’s a common misconception that cancer patients lose weight. Most cancer patients gain weight during their treatment, through a mixture of increased snacking (for energy and to control nausea), some medications (eg steroids), and reduced activity levels. The good news is that you absolutely can lose weight after cancer treatment with a mix of exercise, nutrition and consistency. I’m here to help! Find out more about cancer coaching for cancer survivors.
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It depends entirely on you and how your body feels. No form of exercise is off limits but it’s wise to go slowly and test your limits cautiously. The aim is to start with any exercise that you enjoy! Exercise for cancer patients and survivors needs to start where you are. Which means, it’s adapted to your body, your fitness level, your lifestyle and your recent treatment. Which may mean adapting some exercises to accommodate surgery recovery, or limiting intensity to adapt to the side effects of treatment. It is not a good idea to try and build fitness during treatment - the aim is maintenance. But you also don’t need to be scared to move.
Exercise needs to be focused on fun and achievable - at least to start with, as we build habits - especially if you are not a regular exerciser or don’t particularly enjoy sport. Depending on your starting point, it’s good to build in a mixture of strength and conditioning, mobility and cardio exercise.
Exercise snacks - several short activities a day, done in 5 minutes or less - often work well for cancer patients and survivors as they feel much more achievable when you’re overwhelmed and exhausted. The main thing is consistency - a small amount of movement every day is much better than 5 days of sedentary with a huge burst of activity.
All of my programmes are completely tailor made - around your treatment, surgeries, life, likes and fitness level. Feel free to ask me any questions!