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.
22 September 2018
The NHS should switch to electric vehicles across its organisations, health officials have advised.
[more...]
21 September 2018
UK holidaymakers could be missing out on more than 60 direct flight routes thanks to Air Passenger Duty (APD), a report suggests.
20 September 2018
Living in areas with high levels of air pollution could be linked to an increased risk of dementia, new research suggests.
19 September 2018
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are shelling out tens of thousands of pounds for care - and many are unable to cover the costs, a leading charity has warned.
18 September 2018
As much as £6 of every £10 spent on domestic flights in the UK goes on Air Passenger Duty (APD), new research suggests.
15 September 2018
UK driving licences might become invalid in certain European countries if the UK crashes out of the EU with no deal, the Government has warned.
14 September 2018
Online crowdfunding for cancer treatments is indirectly advancing the rise of alternative "quack" therapies, experts have warned.
13 September 2018
A "wee-stick" like those used in pregnancy testing could be employed to prevent thousands of deaths from ovarian cancer.
11 September 2018
As many as 1.3 million passengers endured severe flight delays in the last year, a new study reveals.
08 September 2018
British Airways customers are cancelling their credit cards after the carrier was hit by a 15-day data breach that compromised the details of around 380,000 people.
06 September 2018
Plastic trays at security desks harbour the highest numbers of viruses at airports, new research has discovered.
05 September 2018
Adults are being urged to take advantage of a new online tool to find out if they are at risk of having a heart attack or stroke.