|  | Cancer | Cancer Treatments

How to Rehabilitate Cancer Patients

Cancer patients look forward to restoring their bodies to good physical and emotional health. The combination of healthy eating, physical activity and art therapy support groups promotes healing by restoring energy, repairing damaged cells and improving a cancer patient's mood and outlook.

  1. Nutrition

    • Eating a healthy diet forms the basis of restoring and maintaining good physical health. Eating the right fats, protein, carbohydrates from whole grains, and colorful fruits and vegetables every day helps cancer patients recover. These foods contain nutrients and phytochemicals that boost the immune system to strengthen the body, lower the risk of infections, rebuild tissue that cancer treatment damaged and improve overall health. Nutritionists who specialize in oncology nutrition can help patients get back to healthy eating by planning healthy meals and snacks. The National Cancer Institute offers a free booklet, "Eating Hints: Before, During and After Cancer Treatment" (see link in Resources section).

    Physical Activity

    • Exercise during treatment and recovery benefits patients by helping them maintain strength and fight fatigue and depression, according to the American Cancer Society Scientific Advisory Committee's 2006 guidelines "Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment." The guidelines recommend "a program of regular physical activity" to "aid in the process of recovery and improve fitness." The guidelines suggest the following ways to increase physical activity: use stairs rather than an elevator; walk or bike; exercise with family, friends or coworkers; plan active vacations rather than only driving trips; wear a pedometer and increase the number of steps you take daily; and use a stationary bicycle or treadmill while watching TV.

      Licensed physical therapists and exercise physiologists can develop the exercise programs for patients recovering from cancer based on age, previous physical activity, type of cancer, treatment and other factors.

    Art Therapy Support Groups

    • The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management published research in 2006 that supports the use of art therapy as a clinical intervention. The study found art therapy effective in helping inpatients express deep emotions and relieve fears, anxiety and other emotional symptoms. "This study provides beginning evidence for the efficacy of art therapy in reducing a broad spectrum of symptoms in cancer inpatients," wrote Nancy Nainis and her fellow researchers. Art therapy encourages patients by channeling their emotions toward increasing self-esteem, joyfulness and security.

Cancer Treatments - Related Articles