Background:
Frailty is increasingly recognised as an important clinical consideration in cancer care, associated with poorer outcomes including reduced treatment tolerance, functional decline and greater healthcare utilisation. As the number of people living with cancer increases and cancer care becomes more complex, there is growing need for approaches that not only identify those at risk of frailty but also support prevention and management through targeted interventions. Physical function represents a core component of frailty and an important, modifiable marker of health across the cancer continuum.
Aim:
To explore the role of physical function in moving beyond frailty identification towards prevention and intervention for people with cancer.
Overview:
The relationship between frailty, functional decline and cancer treatment will be explored, alongside the importance of recognising changes in physical function to inform care planning and supportive care needs. Evidence supporting exercise rehabilitation as a strategy to preserve or improve physical function and mitigate functional decline will be discussed, including considerations for delivering tailored interventions across different stages of the cancer continuum. Factors influencing engagement with exercise rehabilitation, including timing, patient goals, treatment-related challenges and access to supportive care, will be explored. Opportunities to embed approaches that support maintenance of physical function and independence throughout the cancer journey will be highlighted.
Conclusion:
Understanding the relationship between frailty, physical function and cancer treatment can support more informed approaches to care. Incorporating strategies that promote physical function and exercise rehabilitation may provide opportunities to support independence, wellbeing and quality of life for people living with or at risk of frailty.