Cancer Rehabilitation

What is cancer rehabilitation?

Cancer rehabilitation (rehab) is a healthcare provider-supervised program for people who have had treatment for cancer. It is designed to help people return to activities of daily living (ADLs). People who have survived cancer may have physical, emotional, and social issues that affect their quality of life, no matter what kind of cancer they have been treated for. Cancer rehab programs can often improve function, reduce pain, and improve the well-being of cancer survivors.

The cancer rehabilitation team

Cancer rehab programs can be held on an inpatient or outpatient basis. The cancer rehab team may include any of the following professionals:

Oncologist
Physiatrist
Internist
Other specialty healthcare providers
Rehabilitation specialists
Rehabilitation nurse
Registered dietitian
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Social worker
Psychologist or psychiatrist
Recreational therapist
Case manager
Chaplain
Vocational counselor

The cancer rehabilitation program

A cancer rehab program is designed to meet the needs of each person depending on the specific type of cancer and treatment. Active involvement of the patient and family is vital to the program's success.

The program's goal is to help people return to the highest level of function and independence possible. At the same time, the program aims to help improve their overall quality of life physically, emotionally, and socially. These goals are often met by:

Managing pain
Improving bowel and bladder function
Improving nutritional status
Improving physical conditioning, endurance, and exercise performance
Improving social, cognitive, emotional, and work status
Reducing hospitalizations

To help reach these goals, cancer rehab programs may include:

Using medicines and pain management methods to reduce pain
Exercise programs to help build strength and endurance
Patient and family education and counseling
Activities to improve movement (mobility) and decrease sleep problems
Help with ADLs, such as eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, handwriting, cooking, and basic housekeeping
Stopping smoking
Stress, anxiety, and depression management
Nutritional counseling
Management of chronic illness or complications due to cancer treatments
Vocational counseling