What is Cancer?

Cancer is not a single or monolithic disease but rather a group of 200 plus diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells resulting in malignant tumors. Distinct from a benign or encapsulated tumor, malignant tumors possess the ability to penetrate tissues or organs, and move or metastasize to other sites. Depending on its stage, grade and site of origin, cancers have the ability to seed to an adjacent area called seeding or to metastasize from a primary to secondary or distant sites by the vascular or lymphatic systems. Later stage cancers may effect the functioning of vital organs, upset the body's metabolic process, or create obstructions.

"Ask Your Doctor About"

We can't avoid the caution "Ask your doctor about" associated with the daily barrage of pharmaceutical ads. Commercial interests aside, it is one caution that should absolutely be adhered to first when considering exercise as part of a recovery program. It is your oncologist who is aware of any contraindications to exercise relative to your type of cancer, its stage or side effects of one's treatment strategy. Indeed, the content of this blog is not designed to be a substitute for a medical consultation. In addition to your physician's advice, any therapeutic exercise program should be assessment based and guided by a health care or exercise professional who is trained in the field of cancer rehabilitation. 

Why this blog?

The Cancer Rehabilitation blog will address the role of therapeutic exercise in the rehabilitation of the cancer patient. We will begin with a brief overview of cancer, categories of cancer, as well as treatment strategies. More extensive treatment of these topics can be found in other sources including the websites of many cancer organizations.  I will, however, address what is not found in other sources, i.e, how prescriptive exercise can assist those currently in treatment  or post treatment, return to or maintain their physical (and psychological) function. More information may also be found on my website. Hope we all learn things from one another and I look forward to your questions and input.