Fit for Life

Prehabilitation-Rehabilitation exercise scheme

Cancer treatment can be very challenging for your body and mind. Major surgery, for example, has been compared to running a marathon. Evidence shows that preparing yourself and actively improving your physical and mental health before treatment – also known as prehabilitation - can help you recover more quickly from surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and reduce the chance of further problems during and after your treatment, as well as many other benefits.

Fit for life: The Prehabilitation - Rehabilitation programme | How to access the programme | Where are the sessions held? | Benefits of physical activity | Nutrition | Wellbeing

Fit for Life: the Prehabilitation - Rehabilitation Programme

The programme is designed to help you prepare for, cope better with your treatment and improve your recovery after your treatment is over. After registering for the programme, you will be sent a link to an online workshop (a set of pre-recorded videos so you can go at your own pace), covering the importance of physical activity, nutrition, emotional wellbeing and services available to help. These are followed by structured exercise classes that take place both before and after treatment to assist your recovery.

How to access the scheme

To access the scheme please speak to your Clinical Nurse Specialist or email the Cancer Wellbeing and Information Centre esneft.cancerwell-beingcentre@esneft.nhs.uk

You will then be contacted by someone from the centre who will talk you through the classes and complete an exercise referral form with you over the phone.

Where are the workshop and classes held?

The exercise classes are held weekly at either Colchester Leisureworld or Clacton Leisure Centre. Details will be provided when you have registered for the programme. You have the option to join classes “in person” or join a different (live) class online if you are unable to travel. If neither of these options are viable for you, please aim to use the video which you can find further down this webpage. You are encouraged to attend “in person” if possible as you will meet others who have a cancer diagnosis and you may find that this can provide you with additional support.

Benefits of physical activity

Physical activity is part of prehabilitation-rehabilitation.  It can help:

• Reduce your length of stay in hospital

• Enhance your recovery after treatment

• Reduce complications after treatment

• Enhance your quality of life

• Help you take greater control

Advisory

We have taken reasonable endeavours to ensure that the content of these classes is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate and suitable for most people. However, it is not tailored to any specific characteristic or person. Before following and undertaking the exercises here, you (and anyone else taking part) should consult with a health professional and/or your GP if you: consider it necessary; have any concerns about your health; are not sure whether the exercises are suitable; have any pre-existing health problems, injuries, or any current symptoms. Undertaking these exercises is at your own risk. You should stop exercising immediately and seek medical attention if you should feel any discomfort. We shall not be held liable or responsible for any injury, loss or damage of any kind (including, (without limitation) any direct, special, indirect or consequential damages) arising out of or in connection with the use of this exercise class by you or anyone else except to the extent that such liability cannot be limited or excluded by law. When participating in an exercise or exercise programme, there is the possibility of sustaining a physical injury. If you engage in this exercise programme, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities and assume all risk of injury to yourself. All contracts subject to and governed by English Law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

Nutrition

Follow this link to download the presentation (powerpoint) used at the Prehabilitation-Rehabilitation Workshop “Diet and Nutrition” which includes information about where to find help.

You will find below a video from Debbie Taylor, a cancer dietician at the Ipswich Hospital. In the video Debbie explains the role of cancer dieticians and the services that are available.