While earlier diagnosis and improved treatments have significantly increased cancer survival rates, Dr Gaffney and his team have identified a gap in research around patients’ quality of life following treatment. In particular, there is limited understanding of how to reduce chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (chemo-brain). ‘Chemo-brain’ is especially common in colorectal cancer, where aggressive chemotherapy regimens are often required.
This study will focus on patients aged 60 and over—the age group most commonly affected—and will be tailored to individual needs, taking into account participants’ physical and cognitive abilities.
Following diagnosis, participants will complete three weeks of prehabilitation before beginning chemotherapy. They will receive a personalised and structured exercise programme, combining supervised and self-led activity, which they will continue throughout their treatment.
As part of the project, Mr Motivator (Derrick Evans, MBE) has collaborated with the research team to develop evidence-informed exercise videos designed to help patients build physical and cognitive resilience ahead of treatment.
Throughout the study, patients will also undertake cognitive and sensory testing to assess changes in brain function before, during and after chemotherapy. This will provide valuable insight into whether prehabilitation can help protect cognitive health and reduce the severity of chemo-brain.
Research Associate Dr Katie Hoad said:
“Prehabilitation, which encompasses exercise, nutritional and psychological support, has shown benefits for cancer patients after surgery. It is also important to explore prehabilitation in other cancer treatments and side effects, such as chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction, often referred to as ‘chemo-brain’. Our goal is to understand whether prehabilitation can help protect brain health and cognitive function in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.”
Dr Christopher Gaffney added:
“The support we’ve received from North West Cancer Research has been instrumental in advancing our research into prehabilitation. With their continued partnership, we’re making real progress towards improving the lives of people living with cancer in the North West and beyond.”
This research represents an important step forward in understanding how best to support patients before chemotherapy, helping to ensure that treatment is not only effective but as manageable as possible.
