There is a good chance that a person who has had cancer will benefit from Cancer Rehabilitation.
Dr. Julie Silver, director of Cancer Rehabilitation, at Harvard Medical School and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, MA. has written an article in this months Coping with Cancer highlighting the need for more information about how people can access cancer rehabilitation and what it can achieve.
We have highlighted the main points below
Many Survivors Need Rehabilitation.
Research suggests that many people with cancer who have finished their treatment would benefit from rehabilitation. This is because some treatments can leave the person with pain or discomfort.
Cancer Rehabilitation Should Start As Soon As Possible
There is a critical window between diagnosis and the beginning of treatment called prehabilitation. Prehabilitation is not common could be used effectively.
How To Tell If You Need Cancer Rehabilitation
The signs that you need to ask your doctor about cancer rehabilitation are if you
- aren’t able to do some of the things you were able to do before your diagnosis
- cannot lift your arm over your head, if you used to be able to
- have any type of pain, including headaches or joint, muscle, or nerve pain
- can’t walk or run as well as you did before
- feel weak or tired
- cannot speak like you used to
- cannot turn your head well
- have problems swallowing
- cannot concentrate well or remember things
Your mood can improve when you physically feel stronger.
Studies have shown that cancer survivors can have a worse quality of life due to physical or emotional problems and rehabilitation can help.
So if you feel that you or a friend would benefit from rehabilitation do mention it to your doctor. Prehabilitation and rehabilitation can help survivors function at a higher level and feel better.
Amen
Blesson