Physiotherapy For Cancer Patients

Cancer is probably the most feared illness. Cancer is not the death sentence it was many years ago. More people are now surviving cancer than ever before as more effective treatments to combat this dreaded disease are discovered every day by the medical community. Many in the medical community agree that a patient’s attitude has much to do with the patient making a full recovery.

Physiotherapy for cancer patients is crucial to their recovery. Many hospitals that treat cancer patients develop a team of doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists to assist the cancer patient in all aspects of combating his illness and then making a full recovery. The team works together to ensure that the illness is combated from all angles. No longer is one doctor the sole person to whom a cancer patient can turn for help.

Physiotherapy for cancer patients encompasses a wide spectrum of treatment. Many people who have a tumor removed, for example, experience swelling in the area of removal,. Physiotherapy can work wonders to alleviate the swelling an assist the patient towards a complete recovery. Relieving swelling of certain areas, particularly in the lymph nodes, can not only alleviate pain, but may put the disease at bay.

Weakness and loss of appetite are common symptoms of those undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Chronic fatigue is common, but can also lead to depression. The medical community is now beginning to realize how important a positive attitude on the part of the patient is in achieving full recovery from the illness. Physiotherapy to treat cancer patients may entail getting a person who is tired from chemotherapy treatments a bit mobile. No one expects them to do strenuous work, but implementing a mild exercise plan can do wonders for those receiving chemotherapy treatments. Exercise stimulates the endorphins in the brain that can elevate the mood as well as induce energy. Licensed physiotherapists often work with those who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment to implement an appropriate exercise regime that will enable the patient to not only recover from the treatment quicker, but can also stave off some of the side effects of chemotherapy.

Lymphedema therapy is very important when treating cancer patients who have tissue swelling from tumor removal or swelling in their lymph nodes due to cancer. Physiotherapy to treat cancer patients also includes lymphedema therapy that is a specialized part of physiotherapy and can help restore normal function for patients.

In addition to providing individualized programs to help cancer patients recover from their illness, physiotherapy for cancer patients can benefit these patients psychologically as well. Physiotherapists often work very closely with their patients and develop a bond with them. This bond can be a tremendous comfort to someone who is facing an illness such as cancer and who may be surrounded by doctors who, very often, do not take the necessary time to explain procedures and options to the patients. While doctors are encouraged not to “get involved” with their patients, for many different reasons, physiotherapists are trained to develop a good rapport with their patients as this generally adds a feeling of trust between therapist and patient and is proven to produce good results.

Avoid Skin Cancer While You Enjoy the Outdoors

Here’s a bright idea: There’s a beautiful way you can protect yourself from an increased risk of skin cancer.

The Problem


Through the work of nonprofit organizations, such as The Skin Cancer Foundation, the connection between sun exposure and elevated risks of skin cancer has become clearly established.

“Twenty-five years ago, few people knew about the dangers of excessive, cumulative sun exposure,” says Perry Robins, M.D., president and founder of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “While the connection between sun exposure and skin cancer is widely known today, statistics show that the incidence of skin cancer is continuing to increase rapidly. More than 90 percent of skin cancers are caused by the sun. Nationally, there are more new cases of skin cancer each year than the combined incidence of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer.”

Some Solutions


To help combat this growing health risk, The Skin Cancer Foundation conducts extensive educational programs and regularly reviews products that can help consumers reduce their health risks from sun exposure. More than 300 products in the U.S. and more than 70 products overseas have been awarded the Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation.

Sunbrella brand fabrics are one of the latest products to receive the Seal of Recommendation. Sunbrella fabrics are used for awnings, market umbrellas and other forms of shade on decks, patios and at poolside. You will also find Sunbrella frequently used on boats as biminis, covers, and marine awnings. Seeking shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. is one of The Skin Cancer Foundation’s core sun protection recommendations.

In order to receive the Foundation’s Seal, Sunbrella fabrics were subjected to extensive testing and met The Skin Cancer Foundation’s standards for Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). UPF is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet light passing through the fabric.

“Consumers have long selected awnings, market umbrellas and boat tops made from Sunbrella fabrics because of the sun protection they provide,” said Harry Gobble, director of marketing for Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, which manufactures Sunbrella fabrics. “With the Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, consumers are now assured that an independent organization has verified the level of sun protection provided by products using our fabrics.”

Knowing Your Cancer Risk

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men after skin cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Based on this statistic, most people might assume that the majority of American men are well educated about how best to fight prostate cancer, where to turn for more information and what support group an uncle or golf buddy relied on during their respective battles with the disease.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. While women regularly host breast cancer awareness and fund-raising walks across the country, men have been less proactive on matters related to their health, including essential measures such as soliciting second opinions and researching treatment options. The result of this passive approach is that the average man does not always make good, informed decisions about his own health care.

A new program is encouraging men to alter their approach to health care, at least when it comes to battling prostate cancer. Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, along with Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, have founded the “Partner’s Program” to help men with prostate cancer and their partners face the diagnosis together, encourage them to seek information regarding treatment options, and ultimately, make more well-informed treatment decisions.

This program clearly responds to an unmet need. Recently, a Us TOO- and the Y-ME-commissioned survey found that, although the majority of men with prostate cancer have heard of both surgery and radiation as treatment options, up to 38 percent don’t know that other treatments, such as hormonal therapy, even exist. Even more alarming, less than 50 percent of men with prostate cancer take the time to get a second opinion on their diagnosis or proposed treatment. These facts are sure to concern anyone who loves a man at risk of developing prostate cancer.

The good news for wives and partners is the survey found that men don’t want to face prostate cancer treatment choices alone, making a resource like the “Partner’s Program” attractive for both men and women. While men are not typically as open as women on subjects such as prostate cancer, the survey found that almost 70 percent of men age 50 and older indicated that they would like their partner to play an active role in the process of choosing an appropriate course of therapy.

Now, with the help of the “Partner’s Program,” the average American man may become more proactive about his health.