A cancer patient has spoken of how a therapy group at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, has helped his recovery from the disease.

Neil Perrons, of Sutton, who was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in November 2015, had a tonsillectomy and 35 sessions of radiotherapy, which proved to be successful.

“As part of the surgery to remove the cancer, a section of my lymphatic system had to be removed from my neck and shoulder,” said Neil.

“I now have regular sessions with physiotherapy to gain back movement in my shoulder. The Spring Into Action therapy group has been a lifeline to me and other patients overcoming cancer.

“I also have sessions with Macmillan clinical psychologists, who help me with anxiety and stress due to my diagnosis.”

The therapy group has included a 12-week course of doing an hour in a gym.

Neil said: “It is a circuit training type of thing, personalised to what you can achieve.

“It promotes the benefits of doing 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week. It makes you generally feel better about yourself that you have done something.

Physiotherapist Laura Millward said: “We look at the importance of physical exercise during and after cancer. We look a different topic each week — fatigue management, relaxation and complementary therapies

“We also have lots of time to help signpost patients into (what’s on offer in) the community.”

Neil added: “Throughout my aftercare journey King’s Mill staff — both physiotherapy, psychology, complementary therapists, lymphedema nurses — have been really supportive, engaging and have been superb to get me where I am today.”

Go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-OXvXEjDTI&fea ture=youtu.be to watch a video about Neil’s story.