Personalised care helps patients prepare for and recover from cancer surgery

Patients about to undergo cancer surgery are getting individually tailored support at a community gym to help them prepare physically and mentally. This aligns with one of the key priorities highlighted in the new national Cancer Plan to design cancer care around people’s lives.

Evidence indicates that patients who are better prepared for surgery are more likely to have a positive experience, fewer adverse events and better outcomes.

Much of this 'prehabilitation' can be carried out at home or in community settings rather than in hospital. As well as being more convenient for patients and supporting carbon reduction, this approach also reduces the number of appointments needed, frees up hospital capacity, helps reduce waiting times and supports productivity gains. All patients can improve their readiness for surgery and their ability to recover quickly by following advice on keeping healthy and preparing themselves.

Staff from Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) run a weekly clinic at the Rose Hill Community Centre in Oxford for people between diagnosis and surgery for thoracic (lung) cancer. They cover what to expect and provide flexible exercise programmes to help people prepare. Additional support is provided remotely. Around 10 people attend each hour-long session.

They are run by Lindsay Charlesworth, a Macmillan Advanced Therapist Practitioner, alongside Stefania Cavaliere, a Macmillan Advanced Nurse Practitioner, with support from OUH volunteer Peter Hallworth.

Lindsay said: “Patients who complete the prehab programme are more prepared for surgery. They have fewer complications like clots and infections and get back to normal life more quickly. We also provide rehabilitation after surgery to help get back on their feet.”

Patient Alice Bull said: "The support has been absolutely brilliant, not just good but outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble. It gave me confidence beforehand and the tools to know how to manage things afterwards. I was well prepared, well informed about what to expect and always felt listened to. It was reassuring and gave me confidence in the whole team."

Like Alice, Rita Kimberger has also attended sessions at the community gym in Oxford both before and after her surgery. She said: "Without these sessions I would definitely have been more scared and confused. I truly believe that my approach to the surgery and my fast and successful recovery was due to the help, encouragement and cheerful disposition of Lindsay and Steph.

"Meeting and getting to know others who were going through, or had gone through, the same treatment as me was also really helpful."

Anonymous feedback from other patients includes:

"I'd recommend it to anyone who is going into surgery."

"I thoroughly enjoyed learning about how to look after myself giving me confidence for the op and my recovery going forward. I thank everyone involved for helping me."

"I think these sessions are very beneficial. The fact of learning about the operation and exercising in group is very positive as you don't think you are the only one going through it. The team has been very encouraging and supportive at all times."

"Fantastic class run by great people. I’m going to miss my Monday sessions but plan to continue at local gym."