Prehabilitation, typically comprising exercise, nutrition, and/or psychosocial interventions delivered before treatment, is increasingly being adopted in cancer care. Research investigating prehabilitation has evolved rapidly, particularly in the surgical setting, yet interventions remain heterogeneous in composition, dose and delivery. There also remains uncertainty about which prehabilitation components to prioritise, the strength of the current evidence, and whether prehabilitation is safe and feasible to deliver.
This presentation will provide an up-to-date overview of the current state of the research for prehabilitation in cancer care, drawing on the most recent evidence syntheses and clinical guidelines. Both effectiveness and safety will be discussed, along with the areas where evidence remains limited or emerging. Implementation will also be addressed using data from major international trials and from our own and others' work in the Australian setting. Key insights from local experience with prehabilitation delivery and evaluation will also be outlined.
Overall, this presentation aims to provide a balanced overview of what is supported by current evidence, where uncertainty remains, and the implications for implementing prehabilitation in cancer care.