Preparing for cancer surgery: what to expect before, during and after.

Recovery commonly takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the operation and your overall health.

• Minor procedures may need days to weeks.
• Major operations may need three months or longer.

Preparation typically involves attending pre-operative appointments, following your team’s fasting and medication instructions, eating well, staying active, and arranging help at home.

• Stopping smoking and reducing alcohol may lower complication risk.

Cancer operations are usually performed under anaesthesia, so you are not expected to feel pain during the procedure.

• Afterwards, pain is managed with medications and other techniques.
• Tell your team if pain is not controlled.

Some people need additional therapy after surgery; this depends on the cancer type, stage and pathology results.

• Your oncology team will discuss whether this applies to you.