Abstract:
Cancer and its treatments frequently result in physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and functional impairments that adversely affect participation, independence, and quality of life. Occupational Therapy (OT) plays a pivotal role across the continuum of cancer care, extending from prehabilitation and active treatment through rehabilitation, survivorship, palliative care, and end-of-life care. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of evidence-based occupational therapy interventions aimed at optimizing function, enhancing participation in meaningful activities, and improving patient-centred outcomes.
The session will highlight the role of prehabilitation in preparing patients physically, functionally, and psychologically for surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, transplantation, and other cancer treatments, with the goal of minimizing treatment-related complications and facilitating recovery. The contribution of OT during active treatment and survivorship will also be discussed, including interventions for cancer-related fatigue, energy conservation, vaginal stenosis/stricture, trismus, cognitive impairment, upper-limb dysfunction, assistive technology, adaptive strategies, and return-to-work and community reintegration.
A special focus will be placed on cancer-related lymphedema (CRL), an often underrecognized yet significant complication affecting individuals with breast, head and neck, gynaecological, genitourinary, and other cancers. Current approaches to early detection and assessment, including bioimpedance spectroscopy, as well as complete decongestive therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, therapeutic exercise, self-management, and emerging rehabilitation strategies will be presented. The role of OT in palliative and end-of-life care will also be explored, with emphasis on symptom management, comfort, dignity, meaningful occupation, caregiver support, and patient-centred quality of life.
By integrating rehabilitation throughout the cancer journey, occupational therapy can contribute substantially to functional independence, participation, symptom management, and holistic cancer care. This presentation aims to strengthen awareness of the expanding role of oncology occupational therapy and cancer-related lymphedema management while promoting multidisciplinary collaboration to improve outcomes for individuals living with and beyond cancer.
Keywords: Occupational Therapy; Oncology Rehabilitation; Cancer Prehabilitation; Cancer Survivorship; Palliative Care; Cancer-Related Lymphedema; Lymphedema Management; Quality of Life; Functional Independence.
