The side effects of cancer and cancer treatment are hard to predict. Some people have few issues and some experience debilitating pain, dizziness, fatigue, neuropathy, and other symptoms that affect their daily life. Side effects can appear directly after or during treatment, and others may occur years after treatment. It’s advisable for anyone who is in cancer treatment to enroll in cancer rehabilitation to mitigate side effects.
What is cancer rehabilitation?
Cancer rehabilitation is an individualized treatment plan administered by a team of healthcare specialists to increase mobility, improve function and cognition, and enhance well-being and quality of life.
If you’re a cancer survivor, you may have physical, emotional or social issues due to your treatment. Your cancer rehabilitation at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation aims to help you stay as active as possible, resume your activities of daily living (ADLs), reduce the symptoms of your disease or treatment, help you stay as independent as possible and improve your quality of life.
Who should get cancer rehabilitation?
Cancer rehabilitation is available before, during and after your treatment. If you’ve been recently diagnosed with cancer, are in treatment, or develop symptoms years after you finished treatment, you may benefit from cancer rehabilitation.
What physical problems can cancer rehabilitation help?
Cancer and its treatment can cause many side effects. Relieving them can significantly improve your ability to work, socialize, interact with family, and care for yourself.
Some of the symptoms helped by cancer rehabilitation include:
- Anemia
- Loss of appetite
- Memory and attention problems
- Confusion
- Intestinal problems
- Persistent cough
- Dehydration
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Fluid retention and edema
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Headaches
- Hearing problems
- Joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Nerve problems and neuropathy
- Muscle aches
- Pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sleep problems
- Thyroid problems
- Skin conditions
- Weight gain or loss
- Incontinence
What specialists will be on my cancer rehabilitation team?
Cancer rehabilitation specialists at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation work as a team to improve your strength and mobility, make caring for yourself easier, help you cope with emotional issues, reduce fatigue and other debilitating side effects, and help you return to work. Depending on your symptoms, your team may include:
- Physiatrist
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Speech-language pathologist
- Rehabilitation psychologist
- Social worker
- Recreational therapist
- Lymphedema therapist
Request an Appointment
For more information about our cancer rehabilitation services or to request an appointment, please call 1.888.44.REHAB (73422) or fill out the form below.