Prehabilitation for Young Adults Cancer Patients

Prehabilitation: Measures to Improve Quality of Life for Young Adult Cancer Patients

Presenter: Samantha de Roque

Co-Presenter(s):
Jamie Smith, Alix LeLaurin, and Carrie Butulia

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Department: Nursing

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1KTD4UCnIi2zRnJi2H0gn5PphTfdrH1vx

Abstract:
As the number of cancer survivors increases, so does the need for more proactive interventions targeting this population. Young adult patients (ages 18-39) diagnosed with cancer are underserved and have limited resources compared to older populations. The existing research indicates that prehabilitation before treatment leads to a better quality of life and allows young adult cancer patients to maintain a greater motivation to live. This highlights the need for further research and implementation of prehabilitation for this patient population.

The themes in current research have identified evidence-based practices pointing to exercise, nutrition, and psychological support as being the most essential components of prehabilitation in the care of cancer patients. In our presentation, we will describe the importance of the studied effects of various prehabilitation efforts on young adult cancer patients.