What Is Cancer Rehabilitation?
Cancer rehabilitation is the process of restoring cancer survivors to the highest possible level of function and quality of life. Just as there are many types of oncologists, there are multiple types of cancer rehabilitation professionals. No one cancer rehabilitation clinician will have all the knowledge, skill, and experience that every person needs. The key members of a comprehensive cancer rehabilitation team include specially trained physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists, among others.
Cancer rehabilitation physicians (also known as physiatrists) are doctors who specialize in cancer rehabilitation. They can help get to the root of what is causing the problems a cancer survivor is experiencing, as well as prescribe medications, order therapy, perform injections, and offer other treatments to aid recovery. To provide safe and effective care, cancer rehabilitation physicians must understand not only cancer and its treatment but also how additional medical problems, such as arthritis, heart disease, or diabetes, can affect rehabilitation efforts.
