The short version
- The time between diagnosis and treatment is a chance to get stronger, eat well and feel more prepared. This is called prehabilitation, or prehab.
- UK guidance recommends starting as early as possible, with support for physical activity, nutrition and emotional wellbeing.1
- Every small step counts. You can start today, whatever your fitness.
Start here
If you’re new to prehab, these three pages will give you the basics and a plan:
- What is prehabilitation? What it is, why it helps and what it involves.
- A simple prehab plan to start at home A four-week plan for moving, eating, relaxing and sleeping.
- How to ask for prehab on the NHS What to say to your breast care nurse, and what’s available where you live.
Moving more
- Moving more before breast cancer surgery
- Strength exercises to do before treatment
- Arm and shoulder exercises: learn them before surgery if you can.
Eating well
Your mind and sleep
Getting ready for your treatment
- Preparing for a mastectomy
- Preparing for chemotherapy
- Questions to ask after a breast cancer diagnosis
The evidence
Prefer a guided plan?
A personalised digital prehab programme builds movement, nutrition, mind and sleep into a few daily steps, planned around your treatment date, with a coach to support you. See how digital prehab works or compare UK programmes.
Everyone’s treatment is different, so talk to your cancer team about what is right for you.
References
- Macmillan Cancer Support, Royal College of Anaesthetists and NIHR Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration. Principles and guidance for prehabilitation within the management and support of people with cancer. 2019, updated November 2020. www.macmillan.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/news-and-resources/guides/principles-and-guidance-for-prehabilitation