Many people living with and beyond cancer have physical, thinking (cognitive) and daily function changes because of their diagnosis and treatment.
These changes can affect how you move, your energy, how you speak or swallow, your daily activities and your quality of life.
BC Cancer offers cancer rehabilitation services during and after treatment. These services provide specialized care to help you:
Maintain or improve your physical, mental, and daily functioning
Manage symptoms and side effects from cancer or its treatment
Our mission is to deliver evidence-based, person-centered rehabilitation across the province. We help people improve function, manage symptoms and live well during and after cancer treatment.
We offer both in-person and virtual services:
Physiotherapy
Speech-language pathology
Physiatry (physical medicine and rehabilitation)
Nutrition services
Vocational rehabilitation counselling
Cancer rehabilitation is provided by a team of health care professionals who work together. Depending on your needs, you may see one or more of the following:
Cancer physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians):
Medical doctors who diagnose and treat cancer-related conditions such as pain, nerve damage (neuropathy), muscle and joint problems, loss of function and mobility issues.
Physiotherapists (PTs):
Help improve movement, strength, balance and pain. They support recovery after surgery or radiation and help you return safely to daily activities.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs):
Assess and treat problems with speech, voice, swallowing and communication caused by cancer or treatment.
Registered dietitians (RDs):
Provide nutrition advice to help manage side effects, maintain strength and support healing.
Vocational rehabilitation specialists:
Help you return to work or school. They also support workplace changes and disability benefits.
Nurses:
Provide ongoing care, education and symptom management. They help coordinate your care and guide you through rehabilitation.
Also part of your care team (outside BC Cancer services):
Occupational therapists (OTs):
Help you manage daily activities. They focus on energy use, thinking skills, arm and hand function and fatigue. They may suggest helpful equipment or changes at home or at work.
Clinical exercise physiologists (CEPs):
Create safe, personalized exercise programs to improve fitness, reduce fatigue and support overall health.
Cancer physiatry is a new specialty within BC Cancer’s Supportive Care Services.
A cancer physiatrist is a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They assess and treat physical and functional problems caused by cancer and its treatment. They focus on the whole person and aim to improve function and quality of life.
You may be referred if you have:
Pain, stiffness or weakness from surgery, radiation or treatment
Nerve damage (such as from chemotherapy)
Trouble walking or with coordination
Fatigue or loss of strength
Brain or nervous system changes affecting balance, thinking or movement
Joint, bone or muscle concerns (including safe exercise with bone metastases)
Swelling or lymphedema
Assess your physical function and symptoms in detail
Order and review tests or imaging if needed
Provides medical treatments such as medications or injections
Work closely with your care team
Help coordinate your care and connect you with community resources
The Cancer Physiatry Clinic is located at BC Cancer – Kelowna. Your oncology team usually makes referrals to the Cancer Rehabilitation Service. Your doctor or nurse practitioner can request referral forms by calling BC Cancer – Kelowna.
If you are interested in cancer rehabilitation, speak with your oncologist or nurse or contact BC Cancer – Kelowna to request referral forms.
For your first appointment, please bring:
- Your Care Card
- A list of your medications
- Information about your cancer treatment
It is also helpful to:
Write down your symptoms, questions and goals
Wear comfortable, loose clothing
Bring any mobility aids or equipment you use
You are welcome to bring a family member or friend for support.
Rehabilitation can begin before treatment starts. Your care team may:
Check your current health, mobility and daily function
Help you build strength and endurance
Teach ways to reduce treatment side effects
Set goals based on your needs
Your care may include:
- Exercises to maintain function
- Techniques to manage symptoms
- Support for changes in movement, thinking or memory
- Help with daily activities
- Education and home exercise programs
Rehabilitation helps you regain function and return to your daily life. It can help you:
- Rebuild strength and endurance
- Improve movement, balance and flexibility
- Manage long-term side effects
- Return to work, school and daily activities
- Develop a long-term self-care plan
Talk with your health care team about what you can expect from cancer rehabilitation at BC Cancer.
Dr. Lauren Capozzi is a cancer physiatrist and provincial medical director of cancer rehabilitation at BC Cancer. She is also a clinician-scientist and exercise physiologist.
Her work focuses on integrating rehabilitation into standard cancer care to improve recovery, function and quality of life. She leads research and health system projects that support early identification of physical challenges and improve access to rehabilitation services across the cancer care system.
Dr. Capozzi has published widely, given over 100 presentations, and received several awards, including Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40.
