Current Perspectives and Emerging Issues on Cancer Rehabilitation

Michael D. Stubblefield (Lead / Corresponding author), Gill Hubbard, Andrea Cheville, Uwe Koch, Kathryn H. Schmitz, Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cancer rehabilitation is a rapidly emerging and evolving medical field in both Europe and the United States, in large part because ofincreases in the number of cancer survivors. Although few argue with the need to restore function and quality of life to patientsaffected by cancer and its treatments, differences exist between European countries with regard to the funding, accessibility, andeven the definition of cancer rehabilitation services. In the United States, there is tremendous variability in the provision of rehabilita-tion services resulting from a variety of factors, including a lack of highly trained cancer rehabilitation physicians and therapists aswell as a lack of comprehensive cancer rehabilitation programs, even at the majority of top cancer centers. Although studies evaluat-ing the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in the cancer setting, particularly exercise, have influenced clinical decision-making inboth Europe and the United States for some time, this emerging evidence base also is now starting to influence guideline and policymaking. Coordinated research efforts are essential to establish a robust framework to support future investigation and establishshared initiatives. Determining the best way forward for cancer survivors will require investment in large-scale prospective cohortstudies that sufficiently describe their rehabilitation needs through the continuum of the survivorship experience.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2170-2178
Number of pages9
JournalCancer
Volume119
Issue numberS11
Early online date20 May 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2013

Keywords

  • cancer
  • exercise
  • rehabilitation
  • survivor

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