Learning from the experts | Denise gains valuable insights into cancer prehabilitation

A University of South Wales (USW) student has been gaining experience supporting patients as part of her placement at a specialist cancer prehabilitation clinic.

Denise Cuer, who is currently studying BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, has been working with the Prehabilitation Service for patients with cancer at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. The placement has given her an invaluable insight into how exercise, nutrition, and psychological support can help patients prepare for major cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. 

Initially drawn to the course to enhance her own competitive swimming performance, Denise's academic journey has taken a transformative turn. "I started the degree to learn about the effects of exercise on the body to help me to swim faster. However, as I progressed through the course, I became more passionate about using my knowledge to help others, particularly older adults and those who are ill, injured, or sedentary," she said.

The Prehabilitation Service is led by a Dietitian, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, and Physiotherapist and supported by Therapy Assistant Practitioners. Holding clinics across the region, their goal is to improve patients' health and wellbeing before undergoing treatment.

“Macmillan Cancer Support has published guidance that prehabilitation for people with a cancer diagnosis has many benefits. It can improve fitness, reduce length of hospital stays and complications, enhancing recovery and quality of life,” Denise explained. “My role was to shadow the team during patient assessments helping to conduct fitness tests such as grip strength analysis, the 5 x sit-to-stand test, and the six-minute walk test. These assessments determine a patient's fitness and strength levels and guide the tailored exercise programme for each patient.”

Denise also shadowed patient exercise classes. She said: "It was incredibly rewarding to support patients at different fitness levels, from those needing assistance with balance to those capable of more intense activity."

Denise’s placement experience is directly benefiting her dissertation research, which she will present to the prehabilitation team. "I'm investigating how prehabilitation outcomes differ for patients with different types of cancer. There is a lot of research on colorectal cancer, for example, but less on other cancer types, so my study will contribute to the field."

Looking ahead, Denise is pursuing a Masters degree to further her expertise in exercise and health. "This experience has reinforced my desire to conduct further research and help people improve their fitness and health, particularly in clinical settings. I’d love to continue working in prehabilitation in the future."

Martyn Perry-Hopton, Physiotherapist at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, added: "Denise was the first sport science student we’ve ever supported, and it’s been a valuable learning experience for both her and our team.

“Prehabilitation is still a relatively new area in medicine, but we are already seeing significant benefits for patients, from improved fitness levels before treatment to faster recovery times afterward. Having students like Denise involved not only helps to further develop this field but also highlights the vital role exercise plays in preparing patients.”

Rhian Collins, Allied Health Professional Lead for Cancer at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, said: "We are incredibly grateful for the support of USW, not only for providing us with a student placement, but also for allowing us to use their facilities to deliver our service.

“Strengthening these partnerships benefits both the health board and the University, as it enables us to share knowledge, improve patient outcomes, and support the next generation of healthcare professionals.

“The collaboration ensures that students gain real-world experience in a clinical setting while also contributing valuable research that helps shape the future of prehabilitation. We hope to continue building on these links and exploring new opportunities to enhance both patient care and training opportunities for future professionals."