Role of Physiotherapy in Cancer Survivors

Cancer is a global health problem responsible for one in six deaths worldwide. Treating cancer is a highly complex process. Conventional treatment approaches, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have been widely used. However, recent advances have been made, including stem cell therapy, targeted therapy, ablation therapy, nanoparticles, natural antioxidants, radionics, chemodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and ferroptosis-based therapy.

Principles of Palliative Care

Goals for patients with incurable diseases should focus on optimizing their quality of life and achieving a possible prolongation of life, rather than aiming for immortality. Hope is not fostered by unrealistic goals; instead, such goals may lead to emotional despair.

Side effects from cancer treatment can lead to eating problems. Cancer treatments are designed to kill cancer cells, but they can also damage healthy cells. This damage can cause side effects that result in eating difficulties.Common eating problems during cancer treatment include:

• Appetite loss

• Changes in sense of taste or smell

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Dry mouth

• Lactose intolerance

• Nausea

• Sore mouth

• Sore throat and difficulty swallowing

• Vomiting

• Weight gain

• Weight loss

General disorders include decreased immunity, reduced physical performance, diminished overall fitness, and fatigue. It is also important to acknowledge the varying degrees of pain experienced by patients.

Physiotherapeutic interventions offer solutions for many of the impairments faced by patients living with and beyond cancer, such as declines in physical function and quality of life.

Benefits of Physical Activity

It is well established that physical activity benefits cancer patients. Exercise can help improve cancer-related fatigue, physical fitness, muscle strength, lymphedema, and joint stiffness. These benefits are especially significant in patients with breast, prostate, and hematologic cancers.

During active cancer treatment, a decline in fitness levels is inevitable.

Prehabilitation

Prehabilitation helps patients prepare their mind and body to function at their full potential before undergoing the demanding and energy-draining process of cancer treatment. It is similar to charging a battery before a strenuous mountain climb. Exercise helps maintain functional independence and reduces unnecessary disability. It provides an effective way to improve quality of life. The intensity of exercise can be monitored using heart rate measurements and the Borg Scale.

Strengthening Exercises

Specific strengthening exercises enhance both function and quality of life in cancer patients. Exercise plays a vital role in improving cardiopulmonary function, psychological well-being, muscular strength, and endurance in cancer patients. Numerous studies have shown that complex decongestive physiotherapy helps reduce lymphedema after surgery in cancer patients.

Physiotherapy treatment depends on the stage and severity of the disease, as well as the timing in relation to cancer treatment.