By giving people with cancer a head-start, before their treatment even begins, we can optimise their recovery from the effects of treatment. This support is often called prehabiliation.
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Improving the outcome of treatment before treatment even begins Studies suggest that prehabilitation significantly improves coping with effects of treatment, reduces the amount of time spent in hospital and leads to better quality of life. It works by improving overall health before treatment even starts. Prehabiliation often involves three core interventions, which are physical activity, dietary support and help with psychological wellbeing, as well as other interventions where necessary. These may include help stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, a general medication overview as well as breathing exercises.
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Diagnosis ti ilita hab Pre
on
No prehabilitation
There is enough time between diagnosis and treatment to considerably improve general health.
Diagram adapted from: Figure 4: Silver JK. Cancer prehabilitation and its role in improving health outcomes and reducing health care costs. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 2015; 31(1): 13-30.
Quality of health
Treatment
While general health declines for everyone at this stage, people that have had prehabilitation generally have better quality of health.
Recovery
Studies suggest that people who have had prehabiliation spend less time in hospital, cope better with effects of treatment and have a better quality of life.
Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. MAC17379_Prehab_onfo_handout_A4_LEAFLET
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Prehabilitation helps you pick, edit and contribute to your cancer story – so you have your own ownership and don’t just feel like you are being “done to”. Jenny, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.
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Macmillan is determined that prehabilitation becomes available to everyone facing treatment. To find out more about this innovation in cancer care, search ‘prehabilitation’ on www.macmillan.org.uk
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