A Lancaster Medical School researcher has received an award from North West Cancer Research for work in Cancer ‘Prehab’.

Dr Chris Gaffney, Senior Lecturer in Integrative Physiology, has been recognised for his work in cancer prehabilitation with the Patient Impact Award at the North West Cancer Gala and Awards ceremony held earlier this month.

Cancer prehabilitation helps prepare patients by building strength and fitness before treatment; it has been found to reduce stress and improve outcomes, and Dr Gaffney’s research is exploring how prehabilitation can protect brain function in colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Dr Gaffney has also been credited with highlighting inequalities in access to prehabilitation, and ensuring equity is central to research and development.

In addition, he has also been instrumental in raising the visibility of prehabilitation, and in November 2025 he joined forces with Mr Motivator to film a series of exercise videos for NHS patients at Lancaster University Health campus.

“I was absolutely delighted to receive the Patient Impact award,” Dr Gaffney said. “The Patient Impact category feels particularly special, as improving outcomes and experiences for patients is ultimately why we do this work.”

The team at Lancaster University Medical School say their work on prehabilitation has significant potential: patients finish treatment sharper and steadier, recover faster, cope better with the treatment itself, and get back to work, family, and normal life sooner.