Prehabilitation is the time you have before your cancer treatment starts. It is an opportunity for you to focus on your health and wellbeing and a chance to get stronger and fitter as you prepare for your treatment. 

Prehabilitation covers five main parts of your health: 

• Diet and nutrition 
• Physical activity
• Emotional wellbeing 
• Managing your energy Levels  
• Lifestyle choices including smoking and alcohol 

How does Prehabilitation help? 

Cancer may have already affected your appetite or your day-to-day activities. 

Cancer treatment can also be a challenge for you physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. There are lots of things you can do to help manage the changes you may be experiencing or the way you are feeling. 

Improving your physical activity, diet and mental wellbeing can help you cope with what lies ahead. It will also enable you to take control and continue doing the activities that are important to you. 

Prehabilitation can help to: 

• Reduce complications and side effects that are associated with cancer treatment and to help speed up recovery
• Enable you to do the things that matter to you
• Work towards a more active lifestyle
• Help you to feel more resilient and confident
• Improve your mood and help manage anxiety and stress
• Improve nutrition and make sure you have enough ‘fuel’ for the treatment ahead 

Remember: The better you feel before any treatment starts, the easier the experience will be, and your recovery after treatment will be quicker. 

More information:

• The following video from Macmillan will provide more information on Prehabilitation - Prehabilitation videos for people living with cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
• ​​​​​​​Maggie's - Getting ready for treatment 

• iCan Start programme
• The ‘Add To Your Life’ health assessment will provide you with tailored feedback and resources to help you take positive steps to improving your physical health and mental wellbeing. Ychwanegu At Fywyd | Add To Your Life 

Web page content was created by Betsi Cadwalader and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Allied Health Professional Cancer Leads and has been adapted for the Powys Teaching Health Board website