November, 2025 — One in four cancer patients in Britain feel that nothing could have prepared them for the difficult period between diagnosis and treatment — a time when nearly half (42%)[1] felt anxious and almost all (90%)1 reported feeling like they weren’t in control of parts of their life, according to new research commissioned by global healthcare company Abbott.
The survey of 500 adults diagnosed with cancer in the past five years found patients waited an average of three weeks for treatment to begin and, during this time, many reported feeling uncertain (40%)1, feeling lost (23%)1 and feeling like they wanted to regain some control over their life (43%)1.
To help address this, Abbott has launched ‘The Prehabilitation Method’, a new guide offering practical advice on how people can use the time between diagnosis and treatment to prepare through nutrition, exercise, and mental health support.
“When facing cancer, you are facing your future. The more you can prepare with physical and mental strength, the more determined you will be. You should approach it like going into battle, especially if you’re going into treatment for the first time. Your body is likely to go through something it’s never gone through before, so knowing what to eat, how to exercise effectively and prepare your mind is vital,” said Imogen Watson, registered dietitian and Head of UK Medical & Scientific Affairs at Abbott.
“Through ‘The Prehabilitation Method’, we hope to support those with cancer, as well as their loved ones, with advice and tips on how to prepare for treatment by effectively planning their nutrition, exercise, and psychological outlook,” continued Abbott’s Watson.
Cancer Research UK suggests someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes2. Following a cancer diagnosis, patients are at an increased risk of weight loss and malnutrition3 and a significant loss of muscle mass4 during their cancer treatment. An adequate intake of energy and protein is associated with benefits including treatment tolerance and the risk of hospitalisation5.
According to Abbott’s commissioned research, more than half of the people surveyed (56%)1 had never heard of prehabilitation — a term that means getting physically and mentally ready for cancer treatment before it starts.
‘The Prehabilitation Method’ is designed to close that gap, giving people tools to focus on their diet, activity, and mental wellbeing at a time when it matters most.
For more information on ‘The Prehabilitation Method’, visit: www.prehabmethod.com.
ENDS
About the research
Research was conducted in the UK by One Poll on behalf of Abbott. Through an online (CAWI) survey and from the 17th to 23rd of December 2024, 500 adults in the UK who have had cancer in the past 5 years, were surveyed.
About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Abbott Media:
Bill Ranatunga, (+44) 7379 07 07 18
References
1 Abbott Diabetes Care. Data on File. Research among 500 adults in the UK who have had cancer in the past 5 years, conducted in the UK by OnePoll on behalf of Abbott in December 2024.
2 Cancer Research UK. (2025). All cancers combined statistics. [online] Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/all-cancers-combined#allcombinedcancers0 [Accessed 12 Sep. 2025]
3 DeWys WD. JAMA 1980;244:374–376.
4 Ryan AM, et al. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2016;75:199–211.
5 Prado CM, et al. Examining guidelines and new evidence in oncology nutrition: a position paper on gaps and opportunities in multimodal approaches to improve patient care. Support Care Cancer. 2022 Apr; 30(4): 3073-3083
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