Pre-habilitation prescription for patients undergoing investigations for suspected lung cancer

Introduction

You have been invited to undertake some pre-treatment actions whilst undergoing investigations for lung cancer. The clinical team have assessed you as part of your appointment and with the support and advice of your Clinical Nurse Specialist the actions listed below will help you to improve your health and fitness levels prior to any treatment that you may require.

Prehabilitation supports people living with lung conditions and cancer to prepare for treatment.

It promotes healthy behaviours and recommends exercise, nutrition and psychological care based on a person’s needs, to help them find their best way through this time.

Please bring this leaflet with you to your next appointment.

For more information please contact:

Lung Cancer Specialist Nurses

Addenbrooke’s Team: 01223 217541

Papworth Team: 01223 638322

Other Team: —————————————-

Try to be more physically active

Even small changes (i.e. chair based exercises or walking) for a few extra minutes each day can vastly improve your general health and wellbeing.

My main goal:

How will I achieve this?

Actions:

Top Tip: If you’re feeling breathless and struggling with physical activity, think the 3 P’s.

Prioritise, Plan ahead and Pace yourself.

For more information on managing breathing problems please ask your lung cancer nurse specialist for the Macmillan ‘Managing Breathlessness’ booklet.

Managing nutrition

Loss of appetite and weight loss are both very common in people with lung conditions. There can be many different reasons for it – the condition itself, your treatment or medication, or through worry or anxiety. However, it is really important to try and eat a varied and nourishing diet.

Current weight:

Height:

BMI:

Problems with Nutrition:

Nutrition Risk Score:

Actions:

Top Tip: Smaller meals can be less of a challenge than a big plateful of food. Try three small meals with extra snacks and nourishing drinks in between.

For more information on managing nutrition please ask your lung cancer nurse specialist for the Healthy Eating and/or Building up Diet booklets by Macmillan.

Psychological care

Prehabilitation enables people with cancer to improve their own mental health and well-being which supports them to live life as fully as they can.

What is my main concern?

What can I do to help myself with this?

Distress score:

Actions:

Top Tip: Try writing down any questions, queries or concerns you may have for future appointments and bring them with you. Or seek advice from your Lung Cancer Specialist Nurse.

Offer smoking cessation

Why quit?

Stopping smoking is good for everyone. It’s even more important if you have a pre-existing health condition or a potential lung cancer. Treatment is safer and works better for those who have been able to stop smoking; symptoms and quality of life are also improved by stopping smoking. (Global Lung Cancer Coalition, 2017).

Are you a current smoker? Yes/No

If yes, have you considered stopping and what would help you to achieve this?

Actions:

Top Tip: Buddy up! Remember you don’t have to do this alone and are more likely to succeed with support from others, such as friends, family and healthcare professionals; for example, the stop smoking team and your Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist.

With thanks to the Lung Cancer Nurse Specialists, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Department © June 2020. All rights reserved.

Useful resources

Roy Castle Website (opens in a new tab) Tel: 0333 323 7200

Macmillan Website (opens in a new tab) Tel: 0808 808 0000

Healthy you website (opens in a new tab) Tel: 0333 005 0093

NHS better health website (opens in a new tab)

Maggie's website (opens in a new tab) Tel: 0300 123 1801

Maggie's Cambridge Tel: 01223 249220

Age UK website (opens in a new tab) Tel:0800 678 1602

Cancer research UK website (opens in a new tab) Tel:0808 800 4040

NHS UK website (opens in a new tab)

Notes

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Medication

Bring all of your medicines (including inhalers, injections, creams, eye drops or patches) and a current repeat prescription from your GP.

Please tell the ward staff about all the medicines you use. During your stay If you wish to take your medication yourself (self-medicate) please speak with your nurse. Pharmacists visit the wards regularly and can help with any medicine queries.

My Chart

We would encourage you to sign up for MyChart. This is the electronic patient portal at Cambridge University Hospitals that enables patients to securely access parts of their health record held within the hospital’s electronic patient record system (Epic). It is available via your home computer or mobile device.

More information is available on the My Chart section on our website.