Prehabilitation for Colorectal Cancer Patients With Low Functional Capacity and Malnutrition

When you're preparing for a big operation like bowel cancer surgery, being as fit and healthy as possible can really help with your recovery. Sometimes, older patients or those with cancer might find themselves a bit undernourished (meaning they're not getting all the nutrients their body needs) and not as strong or active as they could be. This can make surgery and recovery a bit tougher.

We already know that trying to get stronger and fitter before surgery, often called 'prehabilitation', can be helpful. This usually involves a mix of good food, exercise, and sometimes emotional support. However, what we've found is that some people, especially older patients who are already not very strong, still struggle to get fit enough before their operation. A key observation was that many of these patients who weren't getting fitter were also undernourished.

This study wants to explore if the main reason for not being strong enough in these cases is actually the lack of good nutrition. We're testing two approaches: one group will focus on improving their nutrition with advice and support, and the other group will do the same but also include some supportive exercise. The main aim is to see which method helps patients improve their physical fitness, specifically how far they can walk in six minutes. This helps us understand if fixing nutrition alone can make a big difference, or if exercise needs to be part of the plan too. The results of this study will help doctors and nurses give the best possible advice and care to patients like you, helping to make your surgery and recovery as smooth as possible.