Cancer Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy: Program Development and Patient Outcomes

Overview

This course, presented by Karen Dobin at CPA Congress 2021, explores the development, implementation, and outcomes of a physiotherapy-led cancer rehabilitation program designed to address the complex needs of cancer survivors.

With cancer survival rates increasing, more individuals are living with significant physical and functional impairments, many of which remain unmet. This session highlights the critical role physiotherapy plays in improving endurance, strength, confidence, and overall quality of life for people living with and beyond cancer.

Through a real-world program based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, participants will gain insight into how physiotherapy services can be integrated into the cancer care continuum. The course also explores program design, outcome measurement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the challenges of sustaining rehabilitation services within healthcare systems.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define cancer rehabilitation and its role within the continuum of cancer care
2. Identify common physical and functional impairments experienced by cancer survivors
3. Describe the benefits of physiotherapy interventions for oncology populations
4. Understand key components of a physiotherapy-led cancer rehabilitation program
5. Apply outcome measures to monitor progress in cancer rehabilitation
6. Recognize barriers to accessing rehabilitation services and strategies to address them
7. Support patient-centered, multidisciplinary care for individuals living with cancer

Audience

This course is designed for:

• Physiotherapists and physical therapists
• Rehabilitation professionals
• Physiotherapy students and educators
• Healthcare providers working with oncology populations
• Clinicians interested in program development and service delivery

Why This Course Matters

Over 70% of cancer survivors experience physical impairments, yet many do not receive appropriate rehabilitation services. This gap represents a significant challenge—and opportunity—for healthcare providers.

This course highlights how physiotherapy can play a vital role in addressing these unmet needs through evidence-informed interventions and collaborative care models. It also provides a practical example of how to design and implement a rehabilitation program within real-world constraints, including funding limitations and system-level barriers.

By understanding both the clinical and operational aspects of cancer rehabilitation, clinicians will be better equipped to advocate for services, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to more comprehensive cancer care.

About the Presenter

Karen Dobbin graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1985 with a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy. Her career centered on neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy, both in the public and private setting, over the following two decades. In 2010, her career focus shifted towards cancer rehabilitation after her personal experience with breast cancer. She enrolled in graduate school at the University of Manitoba and, in addition, diligently pursued extensive post-graduate training and certification in cancer rehabilitation, physical activity and cancer recovery, myofascial dysfunction, and lymphedema management. 

She is a certified lymphedema therapist, myofascial release therapist, cancer exercise practitioner, and an advanced cancer rehabilitation professional, providing rehabilitation for those with a cancer diagnosis. In 2013, Karen was the recipient of the TELUS-Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation National Fellowship for the support of her graduate research and program development at CancerCare Manitoba. She received her Master of Science degree in 2014, after completing her research thesis with an emphasis on cancer rehabilitation. Since 2015, Karen has received grant funding from the CancerCare Foundation of Manitoba for the provision of physiotherapy, which includes a yearly three-month physiotherapy cancer rehabilitation program conducted in partnership with the University of Manitoba and CancerCare Manitoba.

Within this program, she is a clinical instructor at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences for master-level physiotherapy students. Karen is currently working in private practice and at CancerCare Manitoba and passionately provides cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema management to improve the lives of those diagnosed with cancer.