Description
The treatment of patients with past or present history of cancer in general physiotherapy or medical exercise training is becoming more common. This course will focus on general safety considerations as well as the indications and contraindications for choice of specific treatment modalities including exercise prescription. An overview of a select number of more prevalent cancers (breast, lung, hematological) as well as the more serious consequences of cancer and its treatment(bone metastasis, radiation fibrosis, lymphedema) will be introduced as a foundation for development of a greater oncology specialized practice.
Course outline
Module 1: Indications and contraindications for use of manual and biophysical modalities of treatment in cancer patients: review of literature and guidelines for use
- Overview of common treatment interventions and modalities
- Review of indications and contraindications for use of treatment interventions
- Including manual therapy, massage, pelvic floor interventions, acupuncture, ultrasound and different types of electrical stimulation.
Module 2: Exercise interventions at all stages of cancer and treatment
- Benefits of exercise- Review of the literature
- Risks associated with exercise during treatment
Module 3: Safety considerations post chemotherapy
- Metabolic alterations and exercise prescription
- Risk management of Hematological effects of chemotherapy: rehabilitation implications
- Risk management Cardiovascular effects of chemotherapy
Module 4: Bone metastasis
- Types of lesions
- Impact on tensile strength and function
- Clinical fracture risk assessment
- Pain origins and symptom profile related to different bone lesions
- Specific characteristics and incidence related to breast, lung, and prostate cancers
- Medical management
- Physiotherapy assessment
Module 5: Skeletal fragility due to cancer treatment
- Patients at risk for development of bone fragility related to cancer treatment
- Screening tools
- Limitations and recommendations for exercise
Module 6: Radiation fibrosis
- Role of radiotherapy in cancer treatment
- Delivery and dosage parameters
- Factors related to the development of radiation fibrosis
- Radiation induced musculoskeletal and neurological conditions
- Clinical assessment
- Rehabilitation interventions
Module 7: Breast cancer
- Diagnostic terminology and staging
- Surgical and medical treatment interventions
- Side effects of treatment
- Breast cancer assessment and outcome measures
- Breast cancer rehabilitation
Module 8: Introduction to lymphedema
- Lymphatic system
- Pathophysiology of lymphedema
- Clinical stages, signs, and symptoms
- Recognition & risk management
- Treatment
Module 9: Rehabilitation of patients with Lung cancer
- Pathology, diagnosis and staging
- Medical and surgical treatment interventions
- Side effects of disease and treatment
- Clinical assessment
- Rehabilitation and exercise interventions related to type and stage of disease
Module 10: Rehabilitation of patients with hematological cancers
- Review of diverse blood functions and prevalence of hematological cancers
- Pathology, diagnosis and staging of lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma
- Medical treatment interventions including stem cell transplant
- Musculoskeletal, neurological and cardio respiratory side effects of disease and treatment
- Functional risk management
- Rehabilitation and exercise interventions related to type and stage of disease
* Within a maximum of 24 business hours following your purchase (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday), you will receive all the necessary information by email to view the course.
See the description of Level 1 (prerequisite) and Level 3 by clicking below.
Objectives
- Recognize and understand the unique rehabilitation needs related to:
- Pathology, location, and stage of disease for specific cancers
- Medical treatment interventions related to specific cancers including surgical reconstruction
- Dysfunction commonly associated with specific cancers including: breast, prostate, lung, head and neck, and hematological cancers.
- Derive assessment protocols based upon:
- Stage of disease and prognosis
- Goals of patient and residual functional problems
- Outcome measures validated in specific populations
- Clinical observations related to the common side effects of treatment
- Physical examination and functional testing appropriate to the cancer location and trajectory
- Derive intervention strategies based upon realistic goals and client-centered outcomes that may include but not be limited to:
- Education
- Manual therapy
- Therapeutic exercise
- Functional testing and activity training
