HJBR Jan/Feb 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  JAN / FEB 2021 19 However, there is often a misconception about what makes someone a cancer “sur- vivor.” While it can and often does refer to someone who shows no signs of cancer fol- lowing treatment and/or surgery, it can also describe someone living with, through and beyond cancer. What this means is that survivorship starts at diagnosis and includes those who may re- ceive treatment over a longer period of time. It can be treatment to lower the chance of cancer coming back or just to keep the cancer from spreading. “Acancer diagnosis can be daunting,”said Angela Page, supervisor of adult therapy ser- vices at Woman’s Hospital, “and sometimes the lifesaving treatments that follow can be just as challenging. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, while necessary, often cause medical problems that interfere with a patient’s daily function.” This is whyWoman’s launched its Cancer Rehab Program in 2016 built around the con- cept of survivorship, utilizing a comprehen- sive approach through a joint effort between physical therapists, occupational therapists, audiologists, speech therapists, dietitians, ex- ercise physiologists and massage therapists to target each patient’s specific needs. “With earlier detection and advanced treatment, many people with a cancer diag- nosis end up living a normal life expectancy,” said Page. “As a result, healthcare providers have started to identify some of the signifi- cant long-term effects of cancer treatments and the most appropriate interventions.” When people think of chemotherapy treat- ments, many immediately think of hair loss. While this is a common side effect, patients who receive chemotherapy can be faced with much larger problems. They can experience overwhelming fatigue, muscle weakness and neuropathy. It is not uncommon for these side effects to be present even a year or more after treatment is completed, according to Page. Other side effects of chemotherapy can be hearing loss, excessive weight gain or weight loss and the mental fog or “chemo brain”that comes with some treatments. Through oc- cupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, nutrition, hearing screens and mas- sage, specialists can identify and address these treatment side effects. Breast and gynecologic patients who un- dergo lymph node removal or radiation are at risk for developing lymphedema, a condition which results in swelling of the involved ex- tremity andmay lead to infection or function- al impairment. Woman’s has implemented a The term “survivorship” has emerged throughout the years when discussing a patient’s journey through cancer.