January 18, 2026

E15 - Prehabilitation in Cancer Care

9 minutes

E15 | 10 min | Latest | Publication Link

Podcast based on: Kwan, D.; Kwan, W.; Badwal, A.; Puol, T.; Deng, J.Z.; Wang, R.; Ahmed, S.; Mansfield, A.; Fazelzad, R.; Jones, J. Prehabilitation in Adult Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy: A Scoping Review. Cancers 2026, 18, 286. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020286

Type: Review | Publication date: 16 January 2026

Summary: Individuals undergoing cancer treatment often experience side effects like fatigue, muscle loss, and mood changes that can reduce their ability to carry out daily activities. In surgical settings, giving patients a prehabilitation program involving exercise, nutrition, and psychological support prior to treatment helps preserve their strength and quality of life, yet its use for non-surgical treatments remains largely unexamined. Our review therefore examines research on prehabilitation before non-surgical treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, to see what kinds of programs exist, how feasible they are, and which patient groups benefit. By mapping the evidence and identifying gaps, we aim to guide clinicians and researchers toward designing better pre-treatment support programs and highlight the need for longer-term trials in diverse and older populations.

Keywords: prehabilitation; cancer; chemotherapy; radiotherapy; non-surgical treatment

Disclaimer:

This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

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