What happens before cancer rehabilitation?

The assessment may review fatigue, pain, balance, strength, flexibility, breathing, swallowing, speech, thinking, mood, sleep and ability to manage daily tasks. The clinician also considers your cancer treatment, surgery, medicines, other health conditions and any restrictions from your medical team.

Rehabilitation can involve physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, exercise guidance, nutrition support or emotional support. The plan focuses on a practical goal, such as walking safely, using an arm after surgery, returning to an activity or managing energy during treatment.

Bring your medication list, treatment dates, mobility aids and a short description of what has changed in daily life. Wear comfortable clothing if movement will be assessed. Tell the team about pain, dizziness, numbness, falls, breathlessness or problems eating, even if these seem unrelated to exercise.

Follow only the activity advice already cleared by your cancer team until your assessment. Ask how progress will be measured and what to do on days when fatigue or treatment effects are stronger.

Contact your treatment team promptly for a new fall, worsening weakness, uncontrolled pain, sudden confusion, new breathing difficulty or inability to eat and drink. Seek emergency care for collapse, severe chest pain or sudden one-sided weakness rather than waiting for rehabilitation.

Which rehabilitation professional should I see first? What activities are suitable now? Are there surgical or treatment restrictions? What symptom should make me stop an exercise and call the team?