13/12/2023
Medical treatment saves lives. Physiotherapists trained in oncology rehabilitation give back lives.
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9 reasons why Physiotherapists should be involved in helping people affected by cancer to thrive.
1. HELP PREVENT UNNECESSARY DISABILITY - The number of people living longer and surviving cancer is growing, however these people may be living with long-term side effects of the disease and treatment, which make them feel they haven’t ‘beaten’ cancer at all. Side effects may be visible during or very soon after treatment, or they may take months and years to be seen. Many of these side effects can significantly affect quality of life. Oncology Physiotherapists can help minimise the risk of short and long-term side effects and help prevent unnecessary disability.
2. SUPPORT EFFECTIVE SELF-MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO MAINTAIN HEALTH - Physiotherapists have a very important educational role during and after cancer treatments to help people understand how they can help themselves. Cancer treatments are tough but are more manageable when people know what to expect and are given good advise on all the things they can do to maximise their own recovery. Ongoing education throughout cancer treatment is also vital to heighten the patient’s awareness of the potential late effects from treatment and to promote a proactive approach to their diagnosis and treatment. In addition, Physiotherapists work to reinforce health-promoting behaviours such as exercise, weight control and physical activity and help their patients take positive steps for their future health and wellbeing.
3. RESTORE MOVEMENT AND FUNCTION - Oncology Physiotherapists are experts in restoring movement and function to people affected by cancer. However, it doesn't stop there. There is also strong evidence supporting rehabilitation and exercise not only helping people physically but also emotionally, vocationally and socially.
4. HELP MANAGE FATIGUE, DURING AND AFTER TREATMENT - Oncology Physiotherapists are experienced in the management of fatigue during and after cancer treatment. It is very important to manage fatigue symptoms; to provide adequate support for people remaining at work as well as returning to work. There is also an abundance of evidence that regular moderate exercise can decrease feelings of tiredness, lack of energy and fatigue.
5. ASSIST THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RECOVERY - There is an emotional toll that cancer survivors face in addition to the physical one. A cancer diagnosis can cause depression, anger, anxiety, fear and stress. Proper breathing techniques, stretching, reassurance and education can help improve psychological recovery.
6. PREVENT FURTHER DEGENERATION OF HEALTH - If symptoms are not managed throughout treatment there is a greater risk a patient will have problems coping. The combined burden from treatments and lack of physical activity can cause de-conditioning, which can further exacerbate fatigue and lead to a longer road to recovery. Oncology Physiotherapists can help patients overcome the significant physical and functional impairments suffered after cancer surgery and treatments that act as major barriers to resuming physical activity.
7. ASSIST, TREAT AND SUPPORT PATIENTS THROUGH EVERY STAGE OF THEIR TREATMENT AND RECOVERY - Opportunities for physiotherapists to screen for and treat impairments in cancer patients begin shortly after diagnosis and continue even years after the completion of cancer treatment. Our care continuum includes prehabilitation (interventions designed to increase function prior to surgery or treatment), rehabilitation during acute cancer care, rehabilitation after acute cancer care and rehabilitation of patients with cancer as a chronic condition.
8. DELIVER SAFE AND EFFECTIVE EXERCISE PROGRAMS - The thought of exercise can be overwhelming to people affected cancer, but a well-designed exercise program may help them feel better physically and mentally, and it may also decrease the risk of further disease. Numerous studies show that being physically active appears to improve survival and quality of life. Patients are at increased risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, functional decline and cancer recurrence. Exercise helps to mitigate the side effects of cancer treatment and surgery.
9. REDUCE AND DECELERATE THE IMPACT OF A RANGE OF SYMPTOMS - Physiotherapy rehabilitation services can help patients:
* maintain their independence;
* increase their strength, range of motion, functional status, and physical activity levels;
* manage their fatigue, and pain;
* restore bowel and bladder function, and
* help people return to work, sport and activities they love.
Cancer Rehabilitation is very rewarding work for physiotherapists to be involved in and they truly make a big difference to people's lives
