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Cancer prehabilitation

In recent years, research has focussed on the idea of using exercise to optimise patients and getting them physically and mentally prepared for surgery or the start of their cancer treatment. This is called prehabilitation or ‘prehab’ for short.

Video: REACT- Pre-habilitation

Link: https://youtu.be/Qd8PCyjCj1s

Prehab has been shown to reduce post-operative length of stay and the likelihood of developing post-operative complications. It speeds up the recovery process and can ultimately improve the outcome of the surgery for the patient.

It has also been shown that patients, who undertake prehab before starting chemotherapy and other pharmacological cancer treatments, can better tolerate treatment and experience fewer side effects, when comparing to patients who do not undergo prehabilitation and whose activity levels fall before and during treatment.

In REACT, we encourage patients to play an active role in preparing for surgery and Cancer treatment. It is important for your recovery and longer-term outcomes to be as fit and well as possible before having surgery or starting your treatment. We know this can often be difficult for patients who are not used to being physically active or who have become unwell over time due to their cancer, however this can bring positive outcomes.

Video: REACT - What can I do to prepare?

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdaWZAY7M3Y

If you already take part in regular exercise, try to continue to do this as much as you feel able to. If you do not normally undertake exercise, try to become less sedentary and more physically active in the time leading up to your surgery or the start of cancer treatment.

Whilst you may only have a couple of weeks between receiving your cancer diagnosis and starting your treatment, research shows that even a small number of prehab sessions can still make a difference.

In REACT, we have a number of options available for patients newly diagnosed with Cancer, who want to prepare for treatment.

Ask your treating team for REACT referral, or contact us directly by emailing your name, hospital number and a brief comment about your current needs or leave us a voicemail on 01223 349294 (Voicemail Only).

Email REACT