The sun made a surprise appearance over the grounds of the Stormont Estate as the inaugural South Eastern Trust’s Prehab Park Walk, as part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, took place.
Patients preparing for or undergoing their cancer treatment were joined by supportive family and friends as they laced up for a 2k walk of the grounds.
Macmillan Prehabilitation Clinical Project Manager Paula Kealey explained that the Prehabilitation (Prehab) Programme is an exercise, nutrition and emotional wellbeing programme designed by a team of health professionals and exercise specialists.
Paula said, “The aim of this tailored programme is to help people prepare for and cope with their cancer treatment, physically and emotionally and to help them take an active role in that process. We know form the evidence that optimising a patient’s level of fitness ahead of their cancer treatment can improve their clinical outcomes and reduce postoperative complications.
“We are working in partnership with Macmillan and the local Councils to deliver this programme. The programme includes exercises to suit the patient’s level of ability and fitness, nutritional assessment and advice and healthy lifestyle advice such as stop smoking. It also helps patients to cope emotionally with their diagnosis and is a chance to connect with other patients who are undergoing their own cancer journey.
“We are delighted to see such a wonderful turnout in the beautiful grounds of the Stormont Estate for our Prehab Walk.”
Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist Sarah Christie detailed how latest research shows that it is safe and effective to partake in exercise whilst undergoing treatment for cancer and described the importance of family and loved ones support and encouragement for patients to participate in prehab whilst preparing for or undergoing their treatment.
Downpatrick’s Brenda O’Connor underwent Colon Cancer surgery in June 2023 and described her treatment and further follow up and support with the medical team as “excellent.” “I’m looking forward to the walk today and hoping to walk the whole 1.2 miles!”
Bowel Cancer UK Senior Services Officer for Northern Ireland Hailey Tumilson who was also lent her support to the Park Walk added, “I came along to meet some patients who have been through bowel cancer or who are going through their bowel cancer journey and to tell them the support that Bowel Cancer UK can offer. I think it’s really important to engage with the community directly whenever we can. Accepting the invitation to events like this and hearing a patient’s st
ory it really helps inform my work.”