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Prehabilitation

Prehabilitation is a vital part of your radiotherapy journey that helps prepare your body and mind for treatment.

prehabfull

Prehabilitation focuses on improving your overall health before you start radiotherapy to help you recover better and reduce side effects. Think of it as a way to get your body in the best possible shape, so you can handle treatment more easily and bounce back more quickly.

What is prehabilitation?

Prehabilitation, often called prehab, involves activities that aim to improve your physical, emotional, and nutritional health before radiotherapy begins. The goal is to strengthen your body, reduce treatment side effects, and improve your overall well-being. It’s like getting a head start on recovery by making sure you are as strong as possible going into treatment.

Why is prehabilitation important?

Radiotherapy can be tough on the body, and many patients experience fatigue, skin irritation, or other side effects. By focusing on prehabilitation, you can prepare yourself to handle these challenges better. Studies have shown that patients who undergo prehabilitation often experience fewer side effects and recover more quickly than those who do not. It also helps reduce anxiety and stress, as you feel more in control and ready for the road ahead.

Different methods of prehabilitation

There are several ways prehabilitation can help, and it’s usually a combination of physical, emotional, and nutritional support. Here’s what you might expect:

Physical exercise

Physical activity is one of the key elements of prehabilitation.

This could include:

   – Aerobic exercises, like walking or cycling, to improve your stamina and heart health.

   – Strength training, like using resistance bands or light weights, to help build muscle and maintain mobility.

   – Flexibility exercises, such as stretching or yoga, to keep your body flexible and reduce the risk of stiffness during treatment.

   The goal is to increase your strength and energy levels, which can help you better manage the physical toll of radiotherapy.

For more information on how you can integrate exercise into your daily routine please view the:

Macmillan Physical Activity and Cancer Booklet

Nutritional support

Good nutrition is essential for keeping your body strong during radiotherapy. Prehabilitation nutrition focuses on:

   – Improving overall health, ensuring you are eating balanced meals rich in vitamins and minerals.

   – Maintaining a healthy weight, as being either underweight or overweight can impact your body’s response to treatment.

   – Boosting protein intake, which helps repair tissues and maintain muscle mass during treatment.

More information on how to manage your diet can be found at:

Macmillan Healthy Eating and Cancer Booklet

Emotional support

Facing radiotherapy can be stressful, and managing anxiety or fear is an important part of prehabilitation. Emotional support can come in many forms:

   – Counselling: Talking with a therapist or counsellor can help you process your emotions and reduce stress.

   – Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Practices like meditation, deep breathing, or gentle yoga can calm your mind and help you feel more in control.

   – Support groups: Connecting with others who are going through similar experiences can provide comfort and a sense of community.

Macmillan can offer a wide range of support and services to you and your family. Some of these can be found at:

Macmillan

Breathing and lung exercises

If your radiotherapy will target areas near your chest or lungs, specific breathing exercises might be included in your prehabilitation plan. These exercises help expand your lung capacity and improve your breathing patterns, which can be especially helpful if you have a history of lung conditions or if the cancer affects your respiratory system.

Smoking and alcohol reduction

For patients who smoke or drink alcohol, reducing or quitting these habits can significantly improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy and reduce side effects. Part of prehabilitation may include guidance and support to help you reduce or stop smoking and alcohol consumption before starting treatment.

The Stop Smoking Service provides a comprehensive range of free, friendly, and confidential support across Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland, to help you quit smoking.

Stop Smoking Support

The alcohol care team (ACT) at South Tees is also available to offer support and advice to anyone who wishes to discuss their alcohol use.

Alcohol awareness

How long does prehabilitation last?

Prehabilitation typically starts a few weeks before radiotherapy begins. You may only have a short time between potential diagnosis and your treatment, however, small changes can make a big difference. The benefits of prehabilitation can be seen in as little as seven to ten days.

In summary

Prehabilitation is an important part of preparing for radiotherapy. By focusing on physical exercise, nutrition, emotional support, and other health-boosting activities, prehabilitation helps your body and mind get ready for the challenges of treatment. This preparation not only helps you feel more in control but can also reduce side effects and improve your recovery after radiotherapy.