A Cancer Survivor Initiative Program at University College London Hospital

This poster highlights collaborative working that

enabled a programme to be set up at University

College Hospital London (UCLH) to benefit lung

cancer patients by accessing an exercise,

rehabilitation and education service. The main aim of

the programme is to optimise lung capacity and

cardiovascular health therefore improving

breathlessness and exercise tolerance

Background

It is well recognised that lung cancer patients have

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compromised lung function, not only due to the disease and its

treatment but due to underlying comorbidity.

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The benefits of improving functional capacity through exercise

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in patients with chronic lung disease is well published (1,2).

More recently the benefits of exercise in cancer patients has

been reported. Specifically in Lung cancer the benefits are

seen in all stages of the cancer pathway from surgery through

to supportive care (3).

Nationally, accessing tailor-made exercise programmes for

cancer patients is difficult, however schemes have been set up

with health and exercise complementing each other.

The BREATHE programme was developed to support patients

at the end of challenging radical radiotherapy. However it was

rapidly extended to all lung cancer patient throughout their

cancer journey.

Capacity to accommodate such a service became available

within the cardiovascular health service. This then lead to the

collaboration of the Lung cancer team and the Cardiovascular

Health team in setting up the BREATHE programme.

Implementation

The BREATHE programme commenced in October 2014. It

consisted of 2 levels of intervention. Level 1 being an educational

talk and a home exercise programme. Following this appropriate

patients were identified and offered the level 2 6 week programme

at a local Gym supported by the CV physiotherapist and a

exercise specialist. Referrals into the programme came from

clinicians and clinical nurse specialists of patients diagnosed

and/or treated at UCLH.

Results

The data below is for the initial 12 months of the programme.

54 referrals were received. 4 have since died and 51 remain

active. Of the 51 referrals, 34 attended the level 1 programme

(66%) and 34% have gone onto participate in the level 2

programme. 82% of the patients that participated completed the

course.

77% had undergone radical treatment and surprisingly 23% of

palliative patients took up the programme

The feedback from patients was positive.