Oncology Rehabilitation

Cancer and cancer treatment can cause survivors to experience various challenges throughout their daily lives. These challenges are often physical, with the most common being cancer-related fatigue. For some, cancer-related fatigue can be associated with muscle weakness, and/or loss of cardiovascular endurance (loss of capacity in the heart and lungs). Some cancer medications have an impact on the muscles (such as steroids), while others may impact heart function directly (certain chemotherapies). Other physical complaints can be tightness of the joints and muscles, which can be associated with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Tightness can lead to lost range of motion, which may impact daily activities like getting dressed or even chewing.

Some survivors may experience balance problems or difficulty with fine motor tasks (e.g. tying shoes or buttoning buttons), which can be seen with neuropathy, or loss of nerve function, in the hands and feet from certain types of chemotherapy. Some survivors will experience lymphedema, a chronic swelling condition, following the removal of lymph nodes and/or radiation therapy to lymph nodes. Other survivors may experience symptoms associated with the muscles of their pelvic floor, such as incontinence (loss of bowel or bladder function), or pelvic pain.

Speech language pathologists also provide care to address communication and swallowing.

The rehab teams across the MaineHealth Cancer Care Network offer a full spectrum of services to meet the needs of cancer survivors. Teams of experienced physical, occupational and speech therapists can address a variety of cancer-related symptoms and conditions to help to improve the life of cancer survivors across the state.

Ask your provider about rehab services including physical therapy to address balance issues and pelvic health therapy, occupational therapy to provide lymphedema management and support for activities of daily living,, and speech therapy for head and neck cancer survivors to address speech and swallowing function.

Click HERE to see rehab services by facility.