Specialty program: Cancer rehab

Cancer rehabilitation

Cancer is being diagnosed at an increasingly alarming rate. Fortunately, with the advances in medical testing and treatments, more people are surviving cancer than ever before.

Our cancer rehabilitation program can help

You optimize your physical and mental well-being throughout your cancer journey. Starting treatment early in your journey can help reduce or avoid cancer-related, surgical, and post-surgical issues during and after treatment.

We will work with you to improve and resolve symptoms of “brain fog,” pain, fatigue, numbness, loss of mobility, reduced strength, lymphedema, axillary web syndrome, chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy, as well as other physical, cognitive and emotional concerns that may be holding you back from returning to your daily activities.

Multi-disciplinary treatment team

Our highly trained healthcare professionals have expertise in the complexities of cancer rehabilitation. Your treatment team may consist of a combination of a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, kinesiologist, massage therapist, psychologist and dietician. Our teams work together and with doctors and other specialists (with your consent) to ensure you receive the right treatment.

How can a customized treatment plan help me?

Cancer rehabilitation is strongly supported by research for all types of cancer diagnoses and all stages of survivorship. Our program is designed to help address issues that typically develop as a result of cancer or cancer treatments.

How does it work?

Our team will customize a treatment plan to address your unique needs and to help you optimize your physical and mental well-being with proven therapeutic methods. This may include a combination of approaches such as exercise and conditioning, manual therapy, massage therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, lymphedema education and management, stress reduction and coping strategies, techniques to reduce dizziness and vertigo, and other specialized services.

What can I expect at my initial appointment?

At your initial appointment we will discuss any medical history that relates to your condition, so please bring details of health problems and past or current/ongoing treatments.

An assessment will be conducted which will allow the rehab team to prepare a treatment plan. They will discuss your customized treatment plan and explain when you can expect to see results.

In 2017, our cancer rehab patients achieved the following outcomes as a result of our program

• > 90% reached their goals of returning to activities of daily living
• > 94% reached their symptom improvement goals