More need for rehabilitation services in cancer care
A study published in
CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians highlights the need for improved rehabilitation services in oncological care. The study systematically reviewed the rehabilitation recommendations in cancer-treatment guidelines around the globe, finding that physicians may not be implementing rehabilitation services to the recommended level. Rehabilitation has been an underdog in cancer treatment, said Nicole Stout, from the West Virginia University School of Public Health and WVU Cancer Institute. It hasn t been top of mind. When we look at the evidence, somewhere between 2% and 9% of patients who have demonstrated functional impairments actually get referred to rehab, Stout said. It s very underutilized.
Scientists identify rehabilitation recommendations in cancer-treatment guidelines
Cancer treatment isn t just a matter of shrinking or removing a tumor. It also involves preserving or improving the patient s quality of life.
Rehabilitation services such as behavioral therapies to alleviate pain and exercise to reduce fatigue are a valuable way to do that. But they often aren t included in cancer patients plans of care. Rehabilitation has been an underdog in cancer treatment, said Nicole Stout, a research assistant professor with the West Virginia University School of Public Health and WVU Cancer Institute. It hasn t been top of mind.
In a new systematic review, Stout and her colleagues identified the rehabilitation recommendations included in cancer-treatment guidelines from around the world. The guidelines recommended rehabilitation for a variety of cancer types and consequences of cancer treatment. But the researchers discovered a disconnect between what the guidelines sug
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IMAGE: Rehabilitation can preserve cancer patients quality of life as they undergo and recover from treatment. But according to Nicole Stout a researcher with the WVU School of Public Health and Cancer. view more
Credit: Aira Burkhart/WVU
Cancer treatment isn t just a matter of shrinking or removing a tumor. It also involves preserving or improving the patient s quality of life. Rehabilitation services such as behavioral therapies to alleviate pain and exercise to reduce fatigue are a valuable way to do that. But they often aren t included in cancer patients plans of care. Rehabilitation has been an underdog in cancer treatment, said Nicole Stout, a research assistant professor with the West Virginia University School of Public Health and WVU Cancer Institute. It hasn t been top of mind.