Cancer Rehabilitation: Challenges, Approaches, and New Directions

Impairments and disability in cancer patients can be caused by the disease process or by its treatment, including the effects of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The prevalence of all cancers, with an estimated 1.4 million new cases in 2006, the development of new treatment options, and improved outcomes have created a constantly growing population of cancer survivors whose function and quality of life have been affected by their diagnoses. This article reviews the theoretical framework, clinical interventions, and research initiatives pertinent to providing rehabilitation services for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.