Prehabilitation in patients with advanced ovarian cancer in Wales.
Lead by Dr Sadie Jones, Professor Richard Peevor & Professor Kerryn Lutchman-Singh, in the areas of Cardiff, Swansea and Bangor.
The background
Patients undergoing surgery for ovarian cancer in Wales do not currently have access to prehabilitation, which is now broadly recommended by national and international societies and guidance. Consequently, patients in Wales do not experience the potential benefits from prehabilitation including reduced complication rates, enhanced recovery following surgery and shorter hospital stay.
The plan
This pilot will roll out a standardised approach to prehabilitation for patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (removal or destruction of all visible tumours present throughout the abdomen) for ovarian cancer in Wales. The project will deliver via the three cancer centres in Wales (Cardiff, Bangor and Swansea).
The prehabilitation programme has been designed based on input from dieticians, occupational therapists, care of the elderly physicians and the national exercise referral scheme. Following an initial assessment consultation, a personalised prehabilitation programme will be designed for the patient for implementation throughout their treatment pathway.