Greater Manchester’s Prehab4Cancer programme is continuing to report outstanding results, with a recent evaluation showing the benefits to both patients and the health service.

The first prehabilitation and recovery programme for cancer patients to be delivered through an integrative care system (ICS) in the UK, Prehab4Cancer was created by GM Active and the GM Cancer Alliance to deliver exercise, nutrition and wellbeing interventions before, during and after cancer treatment.

It is offered to patients with lung, colorectal (bowel) and oesophageal and gastric cancers. The programme has had approximately 2,000 referrals for two consecutive years.

The latest evaluation corroborates independent research used to secure recurring funding for Greater Manchester Prehab4Cancer. The six minute walk test, the sit to stand test and hand grip strength tests, as well as wellbeing questionnaires, found Prehab4Cancer patients improve their aerobic capacity, lower limb function, strength and overall quality of life.

Added to this, Prehab4Cancer patients spent an average of 36 hours less time in hospital and 10 hours less in hospital critical care.

The shorter hospital stays released 550 ward beds days and 146 critical care bed days, resulting in increased capacity and patient flow.

The bed days released from 1,000 colorectal prehab patients enables 179 additional patients to access timely surgery.

The bed days released per prehab patient cover the costs involved in setting up and delivering the programme for a year.

Typically Prehab4Cancer patients are encouraged to attend at least two sessions, ideally three, sessions a week, establish a walking routine and do home exercises.

The sessions include reduced-exertion HIIT with built-in progression and increased workloads. Participants are encouraged to aim for 20 minutes of aerobic exercise on a treadmill or static bike, aiming to hit a heart rate of 60-80 per cent and 15 minutes of muscle strengthening.

Prehab4Cancer programme leader, Jack Murphy, says: “With physical activity and our support, people can take a proactive role in their own care and have a positive impact on their health outcomes. As a result, they feel empowered to take back control of the diagnosis, while optimising their physical and mental condition to better cope with the rigours of cancer-related treatment.”