Imagine being told you have advanced cancer and feeling completely helpless, waiting endlessly for tests and specialists to take action. It's a terrifying scenario that leaves many patients anxious and out of control. But what if there was a way to reclaim some power during that vulnerable time? That's the inspiring mission of Jodie Collins, a bowel cancer survivor who's channeling her experience into creating a groundbreaking prehabilitation program. And here's the part most people miss: this isn't just about surviving—it's about thriving before treatment even begins.
Jodie, diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer in 2020 at just 44, is passionate about developing a 'customizable' prehabilitation initiative designed to boost quality of life and improve outcomes for fellow patients. For those new to the term, prehabilitation—or 'prehab'—is like gearing up for a big athletic event before the game starts. It involves targeted exercises, nutritious eating, and mental health support to strengthen your body and mind, helping you recover faster from surgery and treatments. Think of it as your personal training camp against cancer, tailored to fit your unique needs.
Jodie knows firsthand how frustrating those long waits for diagnosis and care can be. 'When you're diagnosed with cancer, it's quite scary and nothing is in your control, because you're waiting on tests, waiting for the specialists, waiting for the next thing,' she explains. Yet, she points out, elements like exercise and nutrition are within your grasp—simple, empowering steps that can make a real difference. But here's where it gets controversial: while prehab sounds like a no-brainer, some critics argue it might distract from urgent medical interventions or create false hopes. What if focusing on these lifestyle changes delays life-saving treatments? Jodie believes it's about balance, giving patients tools to feel stronger without undermining clinical care. It's a debate worth pondering—does empowering patients through prehab truly enhance medicine, or does it risk overshadowing the core fight against cancer?
With a master's degree in sport and exercise science, focusing on building muscle mass in 'pre-frail' elderly individuals, and a background in community education, Jodie is well-equipped for this challenge. She's also the deputy chair of the Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group advisory panel, pushing for cancer research that's more 'patient-friendly'—meaning accessible, practical, and centered on real people's experiences. Through her journey, she spotted a significant gap: not just in research, but in the actual services available for prehab in Aotearoa (New Zealand). 'One thing I found, particularly going through my own journey, was there was a huge gap in, not only research, but also around the services that are provided in that prehab space in Aotearoa,' she shares. This insight highlights a broader issue—many regions lack robust support for pre-treatment preparation, leaving patients to navigate uncertainty alone. But Jodie is stepping up to fill that void.
Thanks to a scholarship from the Cancer Society, she'll begin her PhD at Auckland University next year, diving deep into this work. Her vision? To collaborate closely with patients, their whānau (extended family and community), and healthcare providers to craft a program that adapts to individual needs. It will emphasize exercise routines to build physical resilience, healthy eating plans for nutritional fuel, and mental wellbeing practices to foster emotional strength—all aimed at making recovery smoother and more effective. 'It's kind of a way to embrace a wrap-around service that will hopefully give patients some control and hope that it will help when they go for their next steps,' Jodie says. Imagine combining personalized workouts, like gentle yoga or strength training, with meal ideas rich in antioxidants, plus mindfulness techniques to manage stress—it's a holistic approach that could transform the pre-treatment phase into something proactive rather than purely reactive.
This personal drive didn't start with her own diagnosis. Jodie's family history played a key role, with her father and uncle both battling colorectal cancer. Her uncle, diagnosed in his 30s, beat it successfully. But her father, in his 70s, had only eight months from diagnosis to the end. That sobering contrast motivated her to act on her symptoms early—seeking advice from her GP when she noticed non-specific signs. A colonoscopy revealed a large mass in her bowel, and the cancer had metastasized to her lymph nodes. It recurred twice in one lung, requiring surgeries, but Jodie's perseverance paid off: her last scan five years later came back clear. 'My last scan was clear - the first in five years - so that's pretty exciting,' she notes. This milestone has freed up her mental energy, allowing her to focus on her ambitious research. 'I can now think, 'What next?' Earlier, I didn't want to start something, because I wasn't sure if I would be able to see it through. It sounds a bit morbid, but that was my thought process.' It's a raw admission that underscores the uncertainty cancer brings, yet also her resilience.
Living in Taupiri, a rural spot in Waikato, Jodie has always been drawn to 'under-served communities,' including those in remote areas. 'I want to make something that works for people where they are at,' she emphasizes. This commitment ensures her program won't be one-size-fits-all; it could include virtual sessions for isolated patients or partnerships with local gyms, making it accessible even in the countryside. It's a thoughtful nod to equity in healthcare, where rural folks often face greater barriers to specialized care.
And this is the part most people miss: Jodie's story is part of a larger wave of innovation. The Cancer Society has just announced awards totaling more than $1 million for cancer research in 2025, boosting efforts across the field. Over the past decade, their National Research Grants Programme has poured over $50 million into vital studies, supporting everything from early detection to novel treatments. This year's round includes post-doctoral fellowships and project grants, plus Jodie's PhD scholarship, showcasing a commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers.
Cancer Society Director of Research and Innovation Christelle Jolly highlights the program's impact: 'Our support for post-doctoral fellowships has helped to propel researchers along their career path and has enabled significant progress to be made in a range of fields. We hope this new funding announced today will continue to build on that momentum.' It's a testament to how targeted investments can accelerate breakthroughs.
For instance, Dr. Judy Ann Cocadiz from the University of Otago is developing a compact device to capture tiny DNA fragments in the bloodstream, analyzing them for early cancer signs. This could revolutionize screening, catching the disease before symptoms even appear—like a high-tech detective scanning for clues.
Dr. Yue Wang at the University of Auckland is exploring whether inhibiting growth hormone could enhance existing melanoma treatments. Melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, might become more manageable, potentially saving lives through this innovative tweak.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Stephen Jamieson, a cancer pharmacologist at the University of Auckland, is working on new therapies for melanomas driven by the NRAS gene mutation, which affects up to 20% of cases. These mutations make the cancer particularly stubborn, so targeted drugs could be a game-changer.
Lastly, Dr. Andrea Teng and her team at the University of Otago, Wellington, are investigating efficient 'screen-and-treat' methods for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium linked to 90% of stomach cancers. By streamlining detection and treatment, they aim to prevent this preventable risk factor from escalating.
But here's where it gets controversial again: with research funds allocated to such diverse areas, from prehab to cutting-edge tech, some might question priorities. Is prehabilitation as vital as detecting DNA in blood or blocking hormones? Or could resources be better spent on immediate treatments rather than preparatory steps? Jodie and the Cancer Society argue it's all interconnected—prehab supports better outcomes overall. Yet, it sparks a bigger conversation: in an era of limited funding, how do we balance prevention, preparation, and cure?
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What do you think—should prehabilitation become a standard part of cancer care to empower patients like Jodie? Or do you see potential drawbacks in diverting focus from direct treatments? Share your views in the comments below; I'd love to hear differing opinions and spark a discussion!
