🎗️ Post-Cancer Rehabilitation
Understand how physiotherapy can support strength, fatigue and daily function during and after cancer treatment.
What is post-cancer rehabilitation?
Physiotherapy can support recovery during and after cancer treatment, focusing on strength, fatigue, and getting back to daily life at a pace that suits you.
Why rehabilitation may be needed
- Extended periods of reduced activity during treatment
- Muscle and fitness loss (deconditioning)
- Surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy side effects
- Fatigue affecting daily movement
- Changes in strength, balance or mobility during treatment
What you might notice
- Fatigue that doesn't fully improve with rest
- Muscle weakness or deconditioning after treatment
- Stiffness or swelling, including in an affected limb
- Reduced confidence with physical activity
- Difficulty returning to previous daily routines
When to see a physiotherapist
- Is fatigue or weakness limiting your daily activities during or after treatment?
- Are you noticing swelling or stiffness in an arm, leg, or other area?
- Are you unsure how much activity is safe during or after treatment?
- Would support returning to daily life or exercise be helpful?
How physiotherapy can help
A physiotherapist can support your recovery of strength, movement and confidence during and after cancer treatment, working alongside your oncology team at a pace that suits where you are.
Treatment approaches
- Graded exercise and strengthening
- Fatigue management strategies
- Swelling and lymphoedema-related support where relevant
- Functional rehabilitation
- Home exercise programme
- Education and self-management
What to expect at your first visit
Your physiotherapist will typically start by discussing your symptoms and history, then carry out an appropriate assessment. They'll talk through what they find in plain language, answer your questions, and work with you to build an individualised plan — there's no expectation that everything gets fixed in one visit.
Ready to take the next step?
Find a physiotherapist who can assess your condition and help you work towards your recovery.
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