Rehabilitation needs of the patient with cancer

As the success rate of earlier diagnosis and more effective cancer therapy increases, more individuals are finding that they are living with a cancer diagnosis. Cancer, as a chronic illness, requires that all health care professionals view the patient from a perspective of functional abilities rather than from a disease process. Rehabilitation is a dynamic process and is generally goal-directed. The goal of rehabilitation is to help the individual to function at his maximum level within the limitations and constraints of the disease and treatment protocols (Dudas, 1984). The physical, mental, emotional, social, sexual, and economic potential of the individual are the broad areas involved in the assessment, plan, implementation, and evaluation of rehabilitation programs. The rehabilitation team consists of the oncologist, surgeon, nurse, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, nutritionist, and others depending on the special needs of the individual. The most important members of the team are the patient and family. The patient involved on the team can help to identify specific needs throughout the trajectory of the cancer diagnosis and treatment. The spouse and friends of the patient with cancer are important support systems and assist the patient in exploring feelings and needs (Frank-Stomborg and Wright, 1984). Dietz (1980) described four rehabilitation stages for cancer programs: preventive, restorative, supportive, and palliative. During each phase of rehabilitation the physical, mental, emotional, social, sexual, and economic needs of the patient must be considered. This report identifies specific areas of concern for the patient and family during the four stages of rehabilitation and to identify potential action plans for individual patients.