Newly diagnosed cancer patients should be given exercise and nutrition plans in order to boost their chances of recovery and survival, charities say.

Experts said that those about to embark on treatment should be given personalised recommendations about their lifestyles, in order to “maximise” their resilience to treatment.

The report by Macmillan Cancer Support, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the National Institute for Health Research Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration called for the introduction of “prehabilitation" as soon as possible after a diagnosis.

Their experts said that a diagnosis could provide a “teachable moment” for patients to quit unhealthy habits, such as smoking or excess drinking.

And they said that all patients could improve their long-term chances of recovery and survival, by getting in optimum shape before treatment began.