There are many types of specialist healthcare professionals who work in cancer rehabilitation. They may be part of the cancer care team where you receive your treatment, or they may work in a separate setting.

Depending on your needs, you could see any of the following professionals during or after your cancer treatment:

  • Physiotherapists work with you to optimise your physical function and improve quality of life at any stage of cancer care. The role of physiotherapy in cancer rehabilitation is broad, and includes helping you to:

    • Prepare physically before treatment (‘prehabilitation’)
    • Get moving after surgery or during any in-patient stay
    • Improve fitness, strength and function during and after treatment
    • Address specific movement or musculoskeletal problems
    • Prevent and manage lymphoedema
    • Address problems with breathing or coughing
    • Improve pelvic floor issues, such as incontinence

  • Occupational therapists (OTs) help you to maximise your abilities, your independence and your quality of life while experiencing issues related to cancer and its treatment.

    OTs can help you with managing daily activities, like dressing and bathing. They will also support you with longer-term goals such as returning to work or school.

    The specialist role of OTs in cancer rehabilitation also includes:

    • providing assistive equipment and technologies
    • seating and pressure care
    • assessing and supporting cognitive needs

  • Psycho-oncology is a specialty in cancer care which aims to support the psychological, emotional and mental health care of people affected by cancer, their carers and families.

    Psycho-oncology is a multi-disciplinary specialty, meaning it can involve multiple professions, most notably: psychologists, nurses, counsellors and doctors. This speciality has a valuable role to play at all times throughout cancer care.

  • Registered Dietitians promote health and individually assess and treat disease specific nutritional issues in cancer care.

    Registered Dietitians can support you with symptoms such as:

    • Weight loss
    • Poor appetite
    • Sore or dry mouth
    • Issues with swallowing
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Changes in taste and smell
    • GI symptoms e.g. constipation, diarrhoea
    • Fatigue

  • Speech and Language Therapists working in cancer care specialise in assessing and managing speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties. They play a very important role in the rehabilitation of people with head and neck cancer, both before and after treatment.

  • Lymphoedema therapists are specialists in assessing and managing lymphoedema. They provide expert assessments and deliver a range of treatments designed to reduce swelling and improve function of the body part with lymphoedema.

  • Social workers operate within the cancer team to support, aid and empower people with cancer and their families. They can support you with the complex social, practical and emotional difficulties encountered in cancer care.

    The services provided by social workers in cancer care include:

    • Planning your safe discharge from hospital
    • Connecting you with statutory and voluntary community services
    • Practical support, information and referral regarding social welfare entitlements and benefits
    • Patient and family education around coping with illness
    • Individual counselling, group work, work with families and carers