Transforming Cancer Recovery: The Power of Prehab and Proactive Care

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Can preparing your body before and during cancer treatment really make a difference in your recovery? I explore this revolutionary concept of "prehab" inspired by Dr. Jessica Cheng's powerful phrase "prehab for all." As a physical therapist with experience in cancer rehabilitation, I'll share how mobility, support groups, and a deeper understanding of treatment can significantly enhance recovery outcomes.

We also face the challenges head-on: the scarcity of specialized therapists, the lack of public awareness, and the barriers to accessing these crucial services. By advocating for "prehab," even a few rehab visits can make a substantial difference in your journey.

Whether you're undergoing treatment, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in a holistic approach to cancer care, this episode aims to empower you with knowledge and encourage proactive steps towards better health and well-being. 

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Episode Transcript

Bettina M Brown (00:04):
Hello and welcome to In the Rising a
health and wellness podcast forthose going through and those
supporting those going throughcancer.
My name is Bettina Brown andI'm board certified in physical
therapy, wound care andlymphedema.
And you know, for me cancer isvery personal.
It's affected my friends, myimmediate and my not so

(00:24):
immediate family, and thereforeI created this podcast and
fitafterbreastcancercom toaddress the multiple dimensions
of our lives during and afterrecovery.
Hello, hello, I wanted to sharethis.
I came across Dr Jessica Chang'scomments on Cancer Network,

(00:46):
home of the Journal of Oncology,and she expressed the phrase
prehab for all.
That's her catchphrase and Iwas completely sold For one.
I'm a physical therapist and Ibelieve in the value of prehab,
but I also know that people tendto do better after surgery,
after treatment of any kind,once they have a higher level of

(01:08):
mobility.
Again, these views are my own,it is only my perspective that I
see, but I believe the bettersupport groups we have, the
better understanding andexpectations that we have of
surgery, of treatment, the morethose questions that are
answered before the beginning ofany treatment or surgery, from
orthopedics to oncology we tendto have better outcomes.

(01:30):
So I have yet to come acrossanyone who has plans to have
cancer.
We tend to organize and planand schedule certain surgeries,
but I have yet to ever meetsomeone who says, oh, I think
I'm going to havefill-in-the-blank cancer next
summer when you find out.
Hearing the word is enough, butmost often treatment is not
started within 10 minutes ofdiagnosis.

(01:51):
There is still time.
There are multipleconsiderations that have to be
taken into account, so couldthere be an opportunity right
then and there to prepare thebody for whatever treatment is
best suited?
Could having rehab duringtreatment also improve your
perceived outcome?
Could the ability to do thingsthat you enjoy during and after

(02:14):
treatment go up?
Could there be a reduction inthe amount of time that you have
to stay in the hospital?
Could there be a reduction inthe likelihood that your cancer
is going to return Right?
The two E's eating and exerciseare often the likelihood that
your cancer is going to returnRight the two E's eating and
exercise are often the thingsthat we talk about the most to
reduce your cancer risk, thoughthere is no zero risk
possibility, but these twothings really help reduce that.

(02:37):
What are the current conditionsor limitations to prevent cancer
prehab and a lot of cancerrehabilitation from actually
taking place For one, orderingit from the providers.
This is still a newer area oftherapy and cancer rehab, and so
of course there still needs tobe more research.
That's done, the better, morelikely this can be adopted.

(02:59):
There are also limited numbersof people who are available for
the prehab.
For physical therapy, forexample, there are fewer than
200 board-certified oncologyrehab specialists in the entire
nation.
There are fewer PTs and OTsthat can do lymphedema Within
the state of New Mexico where Ipractice.
When I was most involved incancer rehab a few years ago,

(03:20):
there were 17 lymphedemaspecialists in a state with a
population of 2 million people.
But cancer rehab does notnecessarily have to only be
performed by those who havecompleted this extensive amount
of training.
And then there's the lack ofgeneral knowledge in the public
to ask for it, because it's notsomething that's so well
promoted, Since rehab can take along time after treatment, and

(03:44):
that can be in person or virtualappointment after appointment
is not really what a lot ofpeople want.
There's a time when we want tosay enough, because it reminds
us of what we've just beenthrough, but the inability to
complete the tasks and thehobbies can make a real
difference, for the quality oflife of a person can make a real

(04:06):
difference for the quality oflife of a person, and quality of
life has not only thesephysical impacts, but emotional
and psychological impacts aswell that affect someone's
friends, their family andcommunity, Because very, very
rarely is only one personaffected by the diagnosis of
cancer, and so I encourage youto look up on Dr Jessica Chang's
comments, learn more about itfor yourself, ask your own

(04:27):
provider about this, and if youhaven't had the chance to have
any rehab after your cancertreatment and you're feeling the
inability to do the things thatyou really care about in life,
I absolutely recommend that youfollow to get at least a few
visits in.
That makes such a difference forpeople that I've encountered,
Even if it's a one-time visit.

(04:48):
Just that knowledge can make avery big difference.
All right, and until next time,let's keep building one another
up.
Thank you.