What to do before cancer treatment begins

For decades, cancer care centered on helping patients bounce back after treatment. Now, doctors are rewriting that approach.

To keep pace with the latest, cutting-edge cancer therapies, health care providers are placing greater emphasis on what patients do before treatment begins — and proactive physical conditioning is becoming a key part of modern cancer care.

“New treatments and technologies for difficult-to-treat cancers, like liver and pancreatic cancer, offer more hope for survival than ever before, but that progress comes with a new reality,” says Dr. Marc Mesleh, a general surgeon at Advocate Health Care. “These advanced therapies can be more physically demanding, so we advise patients to prepare before starting cancer treatment whenever possible.”

Physically preparing for cancer surgery

After a cancer diagnosis, Dr. Mesleh recommends working closely with your care team to create a personalized plan you can follow before treatment begins. Even gentle activities tailored to your current physical condition can help build muscle and improve stamina — sometimes in as little as two weeks.

This type of preparation, known as prehabilitation, may include:

• Light strength training to protect and build muscle
• Walking or other gentle cardio to support heart and lung health
• Breathing exercises to help reduce anxiety and lower the risk of post-surgery complications
• Nutrition support to give the body the fuel it needs to heal
• Movement and stretching to maintain balance, flexibility and mobility

“Even if the window between diagnosis and treatment is small, you may still have time to start preparing your mind and body for what’s ahead,” Dr. Mesleh says. “This approach empowers patients to build strength and resilience before treatment begins, giving them the best possible foundation for recovery and quality of life in the future.”

Research supports this shift. A 2024 study found that patients who participate in prehabilitation improve their physiological reserve and have a better recovery with fewer complications after cancer surgery.

Learn your cancer prehabilitation and rehabilitation options: Illinois | Wisconsin