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Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
Survivorship: During and After Treatment
Cancer rehab (rehabilitation) can help you regain control over many parts of your life during and after cancer treatment. The goal is to improve your ability to move and function and to keep you as active and independent as possible.
When you start cancer rehab, you will work with professionals trained in the specific areas of rehab that you need. The professional will work with the rest of your cancer care team to make a rehab plan for you.
There are many types of professionals who provide cancer rehab services, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists. Each type of specialist has specific education and training requirements.
Many cancer centers and hospitals offer cancer rehab services. These services are most often given on an outpatient basis so you don’t have to stay overnight at a hospital or cancer center. People with advanced cancer or complex challenges may get inpatient rehab at the hospital, a rehab center, or a long-term care center. This means they stay overnight or longer. Some rehab services can also be given in a person's home.
Think about these factors when choosing a cancer rehab program:
The rehab services you need will depend on whether you have physical, mobility, or thinking and memory problems. Ask your primary or cancer care team which type or types of rehab specialist could help with your problems. You can then look for a program that offers all the services you need.
If your doctor suggests outpatient cancer rehab, ask about local options. Finding services close to your home or office can make it easier to get to your appointments. Depending on your rehab plan, you may have one or more rehab appointments a week for several weeks or months.
Health insurance may affect your decision on where to receive cancer rehab. You might only be able to choose rehab programs covered by your insurance. Your insurance company can give you a list of approved programs. Ask how many rehab sessions your insurance covers each year and what you’ll have to pay out of pocket for each appointment.
When you make your first appointment, ask the clinic:
The clinic will likely ask you to fill out detailed forms before the first appointment, either at home or in the clinic. These forms will ask about your cancer treatment and medical history. They may also ask you to tell them about the limits you have and the problems you are having from the cancer or its treatment. In addition to filling out the forms, you may want to:
Your first cancer rehab appointment will be a full evaluation of your medical history and current problems. This is called a pre-treatment assessment.
You will be asked several questions, such as:
The rehab specialist will most likely do physical examinations and evaluations. Depending on the type of rehab you are receiving, they may test your range of motion, muscle strength, or nerve function. They will also check your body for swelling or inflammation. During this appointment, you might also be asked to complete everyday activities, such as walking or standing up from a chair, so they can evaluate your range of motion.
By answering these questions and completing these examinations, you can help your rehab specialist recommend the best exercises and treatments to help you.
The results of your pre-treatment assessment allow the rehab professional to develop a rehab treatment plan. This will be based on your personal needs and goals, and it might include working with more than one type of cancer rehab specialist. Your rehab professional will share the plan with other members of your primary or cancer care team.
Your rehab treatment plan will include:
Most people leave their appointment feeling better than when they came in. However, you may feel sore or tired. If you feel too uncomfortable or are in pain, be sure to tell your rehab specialist.
Your rehab plan may include activities or exercises to do at home between appointments. Completing them will help you make as much progress as you can. If you have a chronic, lasting issue, the in-home plan may become a regular part of your health care.
Cancer rehab can improve your quality of life by helping you regain and maintain a productive and pain-free lifestyle. Talk with your primary or cancer care team about restarting cancer rehab any time you notice a change in symptoms that:
You can receive cancer rehab services at any time after a cancer diagnosis, including after treatment is complete.
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Fu JB, Francis GJ, Morishita S, Silver JK. Rehabilitation Medicine. InPalliative Care in Hematologic Malignancies and Serious Blood Disorders: A Clinical Guide 2023 Nov 28 (pp. 197-203). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Wood KC, Bertram JJ, Kendig TD, Pergolotti M. Understanding Patient Experience with Outpatient Cancer Rehab Care. Healthcare 2023 Jan 25 (Vol. 11, No. 3, p. 348). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030348
Last Revised: May 22, 2024
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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