Page 45 - Essentia Vol 5 Issue 1

VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026 VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026
A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION

In comprehensive cancer care, physiotherapy has
become an important component of supportive
oncology and rehabilitation. Cancer and its
treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy,
radiotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal
therapy, can lead to fatigue, pain, muscle
weakness, reduced mobility, breathlessness,
neuropathy, lymphoedema, postural changes,
urinary problems, deconditioning and reduced
confidence in movement. These challenges may
arise during treatment and continue long after it is
completed.
The role of physiotherapy can begin at diagnosis.
In the pre-treatment phase, prehabilitation helps
improve a patient’s physical reserve before surgery
or intensive therapy. Individualised exercise,
breathing training, mobility work and patient
education may improve treatment tolerance and
recovery, especially for patients already weakened
by disease, anxiety, poor nutrition or reduced
activity.
During active treatment, physiotherapy helps Restoring strength and mobility through
prevent and manage treatment-related side expert physiotherapy
effects. Supervised, appropriately prescribed strength, endurance, mobility and confidence,
exercise can reduce cancer-related fatigue, while encouraging long-term physical activity as
improve functional capacity and support quality part of recovery and health promotion.
of life. Physiotherapists also help patients stay In advanced cancer and palliative care,
safely active while considering clinical factors physiotherapy continues to play a meaningful
such as anaemia, low immunity, bone metastasis, role. Even when cure is not possible, carefully
neuropathy and post-surgical restrictions. At planned interventions can reduce pain, ease
this stage, the physiotherapist works as a clinical breathlessness, conserve energy, prevent
professional who adapts rehabilitation to the avoidable disability and help patients maintain
patient’s changing medical condition. dignity and independence for as long as possible.

After treatment, physiotherapy supports Physiotherapy, therefore, is not an optional add-
survivorship by helping patients manage persistent on in cancer care. It is a vital part of comprehensive
fatigue, weakness, pain, lymphoedema, reduced oncology management, connecting medical
shoulder or pelvic function, balance issues and treatment with functional recovery, independence
fear of movement. Rehabilitation helps restore and quality of life.

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