How can cancer rehab help those with cancer?

We offer support for all cancers at any stage, classifying a rehab plan into one of our 5 phases of rehab. Each phase may include a symptom burden or conditions that remain undiagnosed. Learn more about each rehab phase and how cancer rehab can help in this blog. Cancer physiotherapists can diagnose your symptom burden and provide a rehab plan personalized to your conditions. In addition, we support with exercise plans and return to work plans to get you feeling better. In some phases, medical reports are needed for a gradual return to work, or disability benefit, together we can complete the needed documents. See here for sample medical reports. Therefor, each rehab plan is personalized to your cancer type, rehab phase and your chosen support level.

What are support levels? Why can’t I just drop in with appointments when needed?

The tradition delivery model of health care is very much a ‘drop in’ model. I like to use the analogy of a gym; an occasional drop-in does not yield best results. Any plan or endeavour requires consistency and support, solving the hiccups as they arise. As a clinician, I want to offer you excellent clinical care and use tools that work. That requires commitment from both of us. I ask that all new patients choose a support level that best suits their rehab phase and needs. Then we can plan for a frequency of care, and set goals accordingly. At discharge, we will discuss a plan and patients may then be provided with a drop in appointment option.

What concerns and conditions do your services cover?

We treat all cancers, and most often we see the following conditions:

Decreased strength, balance and muscle wasting (cachexia)

Decreased aerobic capacity (cardiotoxicity or breathlessness)

Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (tingling or pain in hands/feet)

Chemotherapy induced vestibular neuropathy (dizziness or unsteadiness)

Cancer related fatigue

AIIMS (aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal syndrome)

Radiation fibrosis syndrome

Pathologies such as: neuropathies, chording, frozen shoulder, osteoporosis and many others

Overwhelm with a return to work or concerns with exercise safety

 What 5 phases are there in cancer rehab?

At the cancer physio we have 5 phases of cancer rehab. The first is prehab which begins after having received your diagnosis. The second is the treatment phase which is individualized and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and possibly more. The third phase is recovery, beginning when the intensive treatments have stopped. The final 2 phases are return to work and active living; hence cancer rehab can be valuable along the entire cancer journey. Depending on your treatment pathway rehabilitation is most effective when individualized to your cancer rehab phase. Learn more about the 5 cancer rehab phases and what to expect.

What medical forms do you provide support with?

Whether you are wanting to return to work, or qualify for disability funding, we offer the following

ISP-2529 CPP Disability Benefit

GRTW planning for Canada Life, Sunlife, Pacific Blue Cross and other extended health case managers

Physician and oncology progress reports

Letter to employers on GRTW, modified duties and modified scheduling

Functional evaluations for return to work

Can I start cancer rehab when undergoing chemotherapy?

Treatment may come with a lot of symptom burden such as weakness, fatigue or nausea however, there are many rehab tools available. Chemotherapy is often a very challenging time for most patients, systemic chemotherapies may cause NADIR, neutropenia, cardio-toxicity, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathies, nausea and cancer related fatigue amongst many other diagnosable conditions. Targeted chemotherapies may cause symptoms such as mucosal irritation, gastritis, soft tissue inflammation and joint arthralgia. Despite chemotherapy being very difficult, a personalized rehab plan can help and patients often find Telehealth most convenient at this time, coupling it with a ‘rest up’ support level.

What type of services can I expect in my first cancer rehab initial assessment?                                                      

All rehab plans start with a cancer rehab initial assessment either in clinic or via telehealth. We begin with a baseline assessment. This involves a clinical examination of your function, balance, range of motion, strength, aerobic and neurovascular systems. If needed, we offer vestibular assessments for any concerns with dizziness or unsteadiness and neuropathy assessments for any concerns relating to sensory changes. Cancer rehab follow ups can vary from 45-60 minutes, and be weekly or at varied frequency depending on your chosen support level. See a more detailed service description here.

Can I start cancer rehab before or after surgery?

Obtaining a rehab plan prior to surgery can be very helpful, allowing you to have a sense of preparedness and get started as soon as possible. This phase is known as prehab, learn more about cancer rehab in prehab. After surgery if your surgical protocol and mobility allows, obtaining a rehab plan from a cancer physiotherapist may also be very useful to assure best results, and avoid any complications. Learn more here on exercise and surgery. Post-operative conditions fall into our treatment phase of cancer rehab, learn more here. If it is more convenient as leaving the house may be difficult, Telehealth may be an easier option to obtain a rehab plan personalized to your post-operative needs.

Is cancer rehab beneficial when in stage 4 cancer?

The symptom burden accompanying stage 4 symptoms varies tremendously from patient to patient depending on the diagnosis and health history. Some may find themselves in a palliative state where home nursing and palliative supports are moist suitable and available through the public system as their energy reserve is so little. Some patients at times, choose to use exclusively Telehealth for rehab support from the comfort of their home. It depends on the energy envelope available and whether your stamina is sufficient for a rehab plan to optimize quality of life. Safe exercise and rehab support can help optimize joint health, balance, stamina and emotional health while undergoing a stage 4 diagnosis.

How do I pay for cancer rehab?

Cancer rehab is considered physiotherapy when provided under a licensed physiotherapist as in the case of the cancer physio. In most cases, we can submit your invoice directly to your health insurance provider. If your insurance does not accept us doing so, submitting your invoice individually should allow for the allocated reimbursement. Each health insurance plan varies tremendously in its own coverage, as a clinic we have no access to these details. Therefor there may be a remaining amount uncovered, that needs to be paid privately. It is the patients responsibility to understand the details of their plan to understand what private amount may be owing. The remaining balance if any, will be charged to the secure credit card provided. The more you understand your insurance, there will be no stressful surprises, and therefor we can optimize your commitment to your rehab planning.

Can a cancer patient exercise?

I get asked this so much that I wrote a blog on it! Over the past years, I have gathered the most common questions on exercise as medicine and exercising with cancer. Learn more here and feel free to reference the safe exercise guidelines while undergoing treatment.

I’d like to start exercising with cancer; can’t I just work with a personal trainer?

It’s always important to consider a professionals credentials before we hire. For some patients in the active living phase, that have minimal symptom burden and clinical history, an experienced personal trainer can be a good option. However many patients carry a symptom burden and cancer can impact the body in ways that require clinical support. It’s always best to aim for safe exercise, and understand that clinical support from a cancer physiotherapist may be needed for some time. Learn more here as to when clinical support may be needed or not, when medical clearance may be needed.

Can cancer rehab be offered through telehealth and in-clinic?

Your location, rehab phase and treatment schedule may all impact your ability to come into the clinic. The value of Telehealth is that it removes all barriers and provides accessible care nation wide. Some patients opt for only Tele-health while others only attend in-clinic. Most patients choose a hybrid model if they find themselves in Victoria BC. We are flexible with how we offer our cancer rehab care, understanding that your situation may change. Telehealth is an excellent option if you are living remotely and there is no need to worry about not being seen in clinic. In clinic does allows for a more comprehensive clinical assessments but rest assured that with either appointment type you will receive an excellent and personalized rehab plan,

What's the latest cancer rehab research?

This is in part what drives us here at The Cancer Physio, feel free to read more on our research section of the website.

I have back pain, or neck pain, how is this not just regular physio? Why is cancer rehab necessary?

Consider this analogy: wouldn’t you rather go to a family doctor that knows your medical history as oppose to a new doctor every time? Medical history matters, and when a clinician knows your medical history less mistakes are made and treatment plans are safer. A simple back pain or neck pain could be a flag of something more concerning, and certain treatments may be unsafe after cancer treatment. Pain is a symptom that should be taken into consideration and investigated either by your family physician or a cancer physiotherapist.