What Is Cancer Rehabilitation?

Cancer treatment can save your life. But it can also sap your strength, affect your mental clarity and make you feel very, very tired. That’s why cancer specialists at Franciscan Health recommend cancer rehabilitation therapy.

Cancer patients throughout Franciscan Health can be referred by their medical team to physical, occupational or speech therapy throughout the cancer treatment process. Patients at Franciscan Health Cancer Center Indianapolis now have access to a specific Comprehensive Oncology Rehabilitation Engagement (CORE) Program, available to patients with any cancer diagnosis as part of our whole-person approach to care.

“Cancer and its treatments can break the body down — physically, cognitively, nutritionally,” said Meghana Raghavendra, MD, a medical oncologist at Franciscan Health Cancer Center Indianapolis. “Rehab helps patients tolerate treatment better, recover function afterward and even live longer.”

Key Takeaways: Cancer Rehabilitation Therapy

• Cancer rehabilitation helps patients stay stronger and more independent throughout treatment and recovery. It can begin before or during cancer treatment, not just afterward.
• Studies show rehab during treatment may improve outcomes and survival. 
• Franciscan Health’s CORE program offers personalized physical, occupational, and speech and swallowing therapy.

Cancer Rehab Benefits

Cancer rehab is available with a referral from your cancer team. It can help you:

• Improve your strength and endurance
• Improve your balance and mobility
• Reduce pain and stiffness
• Enhance your ability to think clearly
• Enjoy more independence at home and work

Rehab offers intangible benefits, too, such as greater confidence and a sense of control during an uncertain time in life. You can do it during cancer treatment, after treatment or both.

Clinical studies support this approach. For example, one study showed that patients who receive rehabilitation alongside treatment for colon cancer often live longer than those who do not.

“Usually when we think about improving survival, we think about new medicines,” Dr. Raghavendra said. “But in many situations, customized exercise programs help patients live longer.”

Cancer Rehab Program: What To Expect

Cancer rehabilitation may be helpful for anyone with a cancer diagnosis who is experiencing physical or cognitive changes. Patients do not need to wait until treatment ends to ask about rehab.

The rehab process begins with baseline assessments of physical and cognitive function to identify your needs. Based on those results, you may work with physical therapists, occupational therapists or speech-language pathologists.

Physical Therapy (PT) For Cancer Patients

Physical therapy helps patients rebuild strength, improve movement and manage pain related to cancer treatment. Physical therapists work with patients to create safe, individualized exercise plans that match their diagnosis and treatment plan. They carefully adjust each session based on how a patient is feeling on a given day, especially during active treatment.

Cancer pelvic floor therapy

Some cancer treatments can affect bladder, bowel or sexual function. Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that helps strengthen and retrain the muscles that support these functions. Pelvic floor therapy addresses issues like incontinence, chronic pelvic pain and dysfunction. Individualized treatment plans can include:

• Exercises
• Biofeedback
• Manual techniques

Occupational Therapy (OT) Cancer Rehab

Occupational therapy helps patients manage daily activities that may become difficult during or after cancer treatment. Occupational therapists help patients safely dress, bathe, cook, work, drive and perform other tasks.

OT cancer rehab may include:

• Strategies to conserve your energy
• Recommendations for adaptive equipment
• Hand and arm therapy
• Techniques to reduce pain or stiffness

Lymphedema Therapy

Lymphedema is swelling caused by a buildup of lymph fluid that often occurs after lymph nodes are removed or damaged during cancer treatment. It is most common in people with breast cancer but can also occur after treatment for other cancers.

At Franciscan Health, specially trained physical and occupational therapists offer lymphedema therapy. We use techniques that safely reduce swelling and pain and help you manage symptoms long term. The therapy may involve:

• Medical compression bandaging, compression garments and pumps
• Complete decongestive therapy
• Gentle lymph drainage massage
• Exercises to improve movement and circulation
• Education on skin care

Exercises play an important role in managing lymphedema. These gentle, guided movements are designed to encourage lymph flow, improve range of motion and reduce stiffness.

Cognitive Therapy

“Chemo brain” is a common challenge for many people with cancer. Also called brain fog or cognitive impairment, chemo brain can linger even after treatment ends.

“Imagine being a fluent individual with great skills, but after chemotherapy, your processing slows down. It is deeply frustrating,” Dr. Raghavendra said. “Cognitive rehab gives patients a way to regain control.”

Cognitive therapy is not a separate service at Franciscan Health. Instead, our physical, occupational and speech-language pathologists introduce exercises and practical strategies to help patients improve focus, build routines and manage daily activities more confidently. 

Speech And Swallowing Therapy

Some cancer treatments can affect how a person speaks, eats or swallows. Surgery, radiation and certain medications may lead to changes in voice quality, muscle strength or coordination, making communication or eating safely more challenging.

Speech and swallowing therapy help patients address these changes. Specially trained speech-language pathologists offer exercises, strategies and practical techniques to support clear communication and reduce the risk of choking. They typically work with patients who have head and neck cancer, brain cancer or cancers that affect the nerves or muscles involved in speech and swallowing.

Is Cancer Rehab Right For Me?

Cancer rehab can make a difference in how you feel and what you can do during and after cancer treatment. Talk with your cancer care team about a referral and whether rehabilitation is right for your situation.

Moving Beyond at Franciscan Health provides support for cancer survivors as they transition beyond treatment. The eight-week program offers resources to help navigate post-treatment life and manage ongoing concerns like chemo brain. In-person classes take place at Franciscan Health Cancer Center Indianapolis, with a virtual class option available to any patient across Indiana.