A recent study found that 25% of individuals diagnosed with cancer expressed feeling unprepared for the waiting period between diagnosis and treatment. The research, based on a survey of 500 adults diagnosed with cancer in the last five years, revealed that many experienced feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and helplessness during this waiting time.
The average duration between diagnosis and treatment was reported to be three weeks, during which 92% of respondents felt a lack of control over their lives. Moreover, many participants noted a sense of powerlessness over their emotions, daily routines, and decision-making processes.
The study, sponsored by Abbott, introduced “The Prehabilitation Method,” a resource designed to assist cancer patients in effectively utilizing the period before treatment to prepare themselves better. Prehabilitation involves activities such as focusing on nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. Surprisingly, over half of the survey participants were unfamiliar with this term before participating.
Imogen Watson, a registered dietitian and head of UK medical and scientific affairs at the healthcare company, emphasized the common initial feelings of anxiety and confusion experienced by individuals newly diagnosed with cancer. She highlighted the importance of utilizing the time between diagnosis and treatment to enhance mental and physical readiness for the upcoming challenges.
The research also uncovered that individuals engaged in various activities during the pre-treatment period, including watching TV, researching treatment options, taking walks, spending time with friends, and taking leave from work. Notably, half of the participants actively focused on improving their mental health during this time.
Regarding diet, 26% of respondents admitted to eating without restrictions, while 23% were unaware of the significant impact of diet on their treatment outcomes. A fifth of the participants expressed a desire for more effective use of the pre-treatment period, with 32% indicating they would approach things differently if faced with a similar situation again.
In a survey conducted by OnePoll, only 15% of respondents were primarily concerned about their own coping abilities with the diagnosis, while 39% were more worried about the well-being of their loved ones. Despite this, many individuals avoided discussing their cancer diagnosis with close family and friends, although 27% received support from them.
Imogen emphasized the importance of effective planning during the prehabilitation period and encouraged individuals and their loved ones to use “The Prehabilitation Method” for guidance on nutrition, exercise, and psychological preparation for treatment.