What is pre-habilitation, and how does it relate to breast cancer treatment?
Prehabilitation means getting ready for cancer treatment. Before starting cancer treatment, prehabilitation includes evaluating the patient’s physical and mental health to determine their current functional abilities and any other health conditions. Physiotherapists play a crucial role in providing both physical and emotional support to improve quality of life, function, and overall well-being in preparation for cancer treatment.
How can pre-habilitation improve surgical outcomes for breast cancer patients?
By undergoing prehabilitation, patients can benefit from tailored interventions aimed at enhancing their overall health before commencing acute treatments. It is safe and recommended to engage in exercise during cancer treatment, emphasizing the importance of being more active in the period leading up to treatment. Tailoring prehabilitation can better prepare cancer patients for the physical and psychological challenges ahead and potentially improve cancer treatment survival outcomes, reduce treatment-related morbidity, reduce the length of hospital stays, readmissions and facilitate patient’s return to their highest level of function possible.
What specific exercises are recommended during pre-habilitation for breast cancer patients?
Interventions could involve activities to improve cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and respiratory physiotherapy. The exercise sessions are focused on upper body resistance training to improve fatigue, muscle strength and shoulder mobility, these limitations are often associated with breast cancer surgery.
Can pre-habilitation help manage side effects of breast cancer treatment?
Prehabilitation plays a crucial role in personalized care and support planning. Research suggests that receiving early assistance and improving overall health before starting treatment can result in shorter hospital stays after cancer surgery, better management of treatment side effects, prevention or improvement of lymphedema, reduced anxiety and depression, decreased fatigue, improved quality of life during and after treatment, improved physical functioning, and enhanced control over bowel and bladder.
How does pre-habilitation affect long-term recovery and quality of life for breast cancer patients?
Research suggests that even a short period of physical activity can yield significant benefits, particularly for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. Prehabilitation involving resistance and aerobic training in breast cancer patients, can improve tolerance to chemotherapy, increase chances of completing chemotherapy, enhance shoulder joint functionality, and contribute to better treatment outcomes and patient survival rates.
What role does nutrition play in pre-habilitation for breast cancer patients?
A: Prioritizing healthy eating and maintaining a balanced weight is crucial for prehabilitation, as it not only affects well-being but also has a significant impact on overall medical progress. Research emphasizes the significance of nutrition in cancer care, highlighting the profound impact of a well-balanced diet. These benefits include enhancing your nutritional and functional status, expanding treatment options and success rates, promoting faster recovery after treatment, minimizing the risk of complications, boosting immunity and reducing illness, shortening hospital stays, improving medical outcomes, and ultimately enhancing your overall quality of life and survival.
Is psychological support a component of pre-habilitation, and why is it important?
Patients who experience high levels of psychological distress and have cancer tend to have lower treatment compliance and poorer outcomes. However, offering psychological support early on in the cancer journey and before surgery can potentially enhance psychological well-being and overall outcomes. By preparing oneself for treatment and prioritizing mental health prior to starting treatment, individuals may feel more ready and prevent the exacerbation of anxiety or depression. Additionally, research indicates that engaging in exercise and maintaining physical activity can also contribute to improved mental health.
How soon before starting breast cancer treatment should pre-habilitation begin?
Prehabilitation is recommended to take place from the time of diagnosis until the beginning of acute oncology treatment, as it can assist patients in preserving a higher level of physical function prior to surgery compared to those who do not undergo prehabilitation.
What evidence supports the benefits of pre-habilitation for breast cancer patients
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that prehabilitation, also known as “prehab,” aims to enhance patients’ physical function preoperatively, thereby improving postoperative outcomes including shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and reduced readmissions.
How can I get started with a pre-habilitation program
Your clinical team may recommend prehabilitation as a proactive approach to help you get ready for your treatment. Engaging in prehabilitation early on can significantly benefit your long-term health by optimizing your physical condition before surgery.