Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
24 October 2014 12:10
Training on a bike three times a week could improve cancer patients' fitness after chemoradiotherapy treatment but before surgery, doctors say
A pre-surgery fitness regime can return cancer patients to the same activity levels seen before chemoradiotherapy treatment - and within six weeks, researchers claim.
Doctors at the NIHR Southampton Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit have studied how "prehabilitation" - or exercise training prior to surgery - can improve function and quality of life in bowel cancer patients.
Prehabilitation is an exercise regime that occurs prior to any surgical operations but after a treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The researchers found that patients' fitness levels returned to pre-treatment levels following bike training three times a week.
Professor Mike Grocott, a consultant in critical care at Southampton General Hospital, and his team further found those who did not participate in the tailored exercise programme remained at post-treatment levels or saw their fitness deteriorate.
Figures show more than 9,000 people in the UK were diagnosed with the rectal form of bowel cancer in 2012. Holidays can be a good way for cancer patients and those undergoing treatment to get some rest and relaxation, as well as adding more exercise to their daily routines. Specialist travel insurance for cancer patients can be arranged.
Malcolm West, NIHR surgical academic clinical fellow, said interventions to improve a patient's recovery traditionally come after surgery, not before.
Despite the decline in fitness rectal cancer patients can experience after chemoradiotherapy regimes, the study co-author says the research has now shown "it can be reversed by a supervised, individually tailored, exercise training programme."
A total of 22 patients, with an average age of 64, completed the exercise programme at Aintree University Hospital and the University of Liverpool, with 17 placed in a control group.
After the year-long follow-ups, Dr Sandy Jack, a consultant clinical scientist and exercise specialist, said the team saw a reduction in length of stay, readmission rates and cardiorespiratory complications among the patients participating in the early exercise programmes.
The study has been published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia.
23 June 2017
The fall in the value of the pound could pose a shock to British holidaymakers this summer, a currency expert has warned.
[more...]
22 June 2017
Britons have been warned that they could be banned from all-inclusive holidays unless they stop making bogus food poisoning claims.
21 June 2017
Holidaymakers could save themselves money by opting for self-catering breaks this summer, a report has shown.
20 June 2017
From trips abroad to days out closer to home, the school holidays can be a costly time for families.
17 June 2017
Debit and credit card charges are causing holidaymakers to "waste" more than £100 million each year, a new report has warned.
16 June 2017
Aggressive and potentially lethal prostate cancer could be detected more quickly thanks to a simple blood test, scientists have revealed.
15 June 2017
Many holidaymakers are over-estimating the benefits offered by European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), a new study warns.
14 June 2017
British holidaymakers will benefit from the end of mobile roaming charges this week.
13 June 2017
UK holidaymakers could face higher costs in the months ahead following the collapse in the pound, the owner of a major travel firm has warned.
10 June 2017
Holidaymakers planning trips abroad in the coming days will be monitoring the progress of the pound closely following the surprise general election result.
09 June 2017
Family holidays to traditional hotspots like Menorca and Ibiza could end up costing more than far-flung destinations such as Orlando, Thailand and Bali, surprising new research suggests.
08 June 2017
Two of Europe's major budget airlines enjoyed strong passenger growth last month, as the summer holiday season got under way.