Living Better with Cancer
For some people, cancer and its treatment can greatly impact their ability to function. We aim to provide physiotherapy that is tailored to the person's needs and goals, whether they are undergoing treatment, recovering from treatment, or living with incurable cancer. We focus on physical problems from cancer and cancer treatment, including swelling known as lymphedema, incontinence, shoulder dysfunction, and peripheral nerve injury. Based on our experience, patients with cancer recover best when the therapy addresses both the compromised body region as well as their overall fitness and muscle strength.
Dr. Margie McNeely, CRINA member since 2018
Professor, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
Cancer takes an enormous toll not only on patients but also on those who love and care for them. Side effects of the cancer itself or from lifesaving treatment can persist for months or years. Within CRINA, researchers are partnering with people facing cancer to research how diet, exercise, and symptom control can help them live better before, during and beyond treatment.
Here’s how we’re doing it
- Developing unique cardiac rehabilitation programs for high-risk cancer patients
- Personalizing interventions to improve quality of life during and after cancer treatment
- Researching how patients can manage symptoms of pain, fatigue and swelling resulting from cancer treatment
- Investigating causes and management of severe muscle and fat loss — or wasting — known as cachexia
- Capturing patient-reported outcomes to manage symptoms of cancer and treatment
