Prehabilitation in head and neck cancer

Prehabilitation traditionally encompassed interventions delivered between cancer diagnosis and the beginning of treatment and aimed to reduce current and future impairments. 1 Much of the evidence was based on preparation for surgery to reduce inpatient stays and healthcare costs. 2 One of the largest UK cancer charities, Macmillan Cancer Support, published prehabilitation for cancer care guidance, in collaboration with the National Institute for Health and Social Care and the Royal College of Anaesthetists in 2020. 3 This guidance extended the remit of prehabilitation to include the promotion of healthy behaviours, physical resilience and long-term health prior to both surgical and non-surgical treatments. For the first time, prehabilitation was viewed on a continuum of care as a beneficial component of preventative, restorative, supportive and palliative rehabilitation, to optimise both physical and mental health.