The short version
- Personalised prehab and rehab programmes in the UK are reached in three main ways: through the NHS (depending on where you live), through an employer or insurer, or by paying yourself.
- Of the programmes we list, QuestPrehab is currently the only one available both through NHS hospitals and directly to individuals, including a self-pay recovery programme.
- Free courses and classes from charities and local services are excellent too, and work well alongside a personal plan.
How we compare
We check each service against the same questions: how you can get it, what it covers, whether the plan is personal to you, whether you speak to real people, what evidence and regulation sit behind it, and what it costs. Information comes from each provider and from published sources, and was last checked in November 2026. We have no financial relationship with any service listed here. Read how this site is funded and how we review services.
Personalised digital programmes
These give you an individual plan that you follow at home, with support from coaches or clinicians.
| What to compare | QuestPrehab | Reframe Cancer (Alvie) | Perci Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to get it | Through some NHS hospitals; self-referral before treatment; QuestPrehab Recover after treatment | Self-pay, through Reframe Cancer | Through employers only |
| When | Before, during and after treatment | Before and after treatment | Throughout, including after treatment |
| What it covers | Exercise, nutrition, mind and sleep | Exercise, nutrition and wellbeing coaching | Specialist sessions such as physiotherapy, nutrition and psychology |
| Personal plan | Yes, adapted as you progress | Yes | Yes, with your specialists |
| Human support | Coaching team throughout | Coaches | Video sessions with specialists |
| Evidence and track record | Used by NHS trusts; published UK research, including in the breast cancer pathway1, 2 | Previously provided digital prehab to NHS trusts; acquired by Reframe Cancer in 20263 | Backed by Macmillan Cancer Support investment |
| Regulation | Registered with the MHRA (company statement)4 | Check with provider | Check with provider |
| Cost to you | Recover: £199 for four weeks, no payment until suitability is confirmed;4 prehab: price on application | Price on application | Free to you if your employer provides it |
| Find out more | Our QuestPrehab guide | Our Reframe Cancer guide | Our Perci Health guide |
NHS and regional programmes
Some areas offer free prehab or rehab programmes. Who can use them depends on where you are treated.
| Programme | Who can use it | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Your local NHS prehab or rehab service | People treated at hospitals that offer one | Varies. Ask your breast care nurse. |
| Kent and Medway Prehab | People treated in Kent and Medway | Home-based cancer prehab, designed by the QuestPrehab team and featured by NHS England5 |
| Prehab4Cancer | People treated in Greater Manchester | Free exercise, nutrition and wellbeing support, mostly in local leisure centres |
England’s National Cancer Plan commits to a digital-first prehabilitation offer for all cancer patients, so more NHS areas are expected to offer this.6 See NHS prehab and rehab across the UK.
Free charity courses and classes
These aren’t personal plans, but they offer expert information, activity and the chance to meet others.
| Service | What it is | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Moving Forward (Breast Cancer Now) | Course for adjusting to life after primary breast cancer treatment | Online or in person, over two sessions |
| Penny Brohn UK | Live weekly sessions, including preparing for treatment, nutrition, mindfulness and peer groups7 | Online, UK-wide, and a centre near Bristol |
| Macmillan Move More | Local activity sessions for people with cancer, often with instructors trained in cancer rehabilitation | In person, and sometimes online, in some areas |
| Maggie’s | Courses and support at centres beside NHS hospitals | In person and online |
Apps for specific symptoms
| App | Helps with | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepio and Daylight | Sleep and anxiety (digital CBT) | Free for anyone living with or beyond cancer in the UK, through Macmillan8 |
| Untire | Cancer-related fatigue | Free to download9 |
| bWell | Arm and shoulder exercises after surgery | Free |
| OWise | Tracking symptoms and preparing for appointments | Free |
Which is right for me?
- Want a personal plan, and your hospital offers one? Start there. Ask your breast care nurse.
- Not offered one on the NHS? Check whether your employer or insurer funds cancer support. If not, a self-pay programme such as QuestPrehab Recover gives you a full personalised four-week plan.
- Want company and information? Join a free course such as Moving Forward or a Penny Brohn UK session. These work well alongside a personal plan.
- One main symptom, such as poor sleep? A focused app may be enough to start with.
A personalised option: QuestPrehab
QuestPrehab’s clinically led programmes are used by NHS hospitals and are also open to individuals. Refer yourself for prehab before treatment, or join QuestPrehab Recover after treatment.
Spotted something out of date?
Services change often. If you notice a mistake, please let us know and we’ll check and update it.
Related pages
Last checked: November 2026.
References
- Wu F, Rampal T, et al. The feasibility of prehabilitation as part of the breast cancer treatment pathway. PM&R. 2021. doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12543
- Wu F, Rotimi O, Laza-Cagigas R, Rampal T. The feasibility and effects of a telehealth-delivered home-based prehabilitation program for cancer patients during the pandemic. Current Oncology. 2021;28(3):2248–2259. doi.org/10.3390/curroncol28030207
- Digital Health. Reframe Cancer acquires digital prehabilitation firm Alvie Health. March 2026. www.digitalhealth.net/2026/03/reframe-cancer-acquires-digital-prehabilitation-firm-alvie-health/
- QuestPrehab. QuestPrehab Recover: personalised cancer rehabilitation. Accessed November 2026. questprehab.com/recover/
- NHS England Transformation Directorate. Kent and Medway prehabilitation: telehealth-delivered home-based patient optimisation (Perioperative digital playbook). transform.england.nhs.uk/key-tools-and-info/digital-playbooks/perioperative-digital-playbook/Kent-and-Medway-prehabilitation-telehealth-delivered-home-based-patient-optimisation
- Department of Health and Social Care. National Cancer Plan for England. February 2026. Summary of prehabilitation commitments as reported by the Royal College of Anaesthetists and Centre for Perioperative Care. rcoa.ac.uk/news/rcoa-cpoc-respond-release-governments-national-cancer-plan
- Penny Brohn UK. The services we offer. pennybrohn.org.uk/our-approach/services
- Macmillan Cancer Support. Big Health apps: Sleepio and Daylight, free for anyone living with or beyond cancer in the UK. orders.macmillan.org.uk/products/bighealth-big-health-apps
- Tired of Cancer B.V. Untire Now (App Store listing). apps.apple.com/app/id1661118356