Cancer Rehab Awareness Week
7th - 13th Spetember 2020
At least one in three people are diagnosed with cancer, and successfully completing treatment is often just their first step in an arduous journey back to health. That’s why My Physio in Timaru is supporting New Zealand’s pioneering cancer rehabilitation organisation PINC & STEEL in its launch of the world’s first Cancer Rehabilitation Awareness Week, 7-13th September, 2020.
“The impact of cancer on a person’s daily life is immediate and striking,” says PINC & STEEL Chief Executive Lou James (MNZM). “Often it’s only the survivors and their loved ones who know the real physical and emotional toll and ongoing difficulties cancer treatment can bring.”
“Cancer rehabilitation can have a major influence on ‘quality’ of life, both during and after treatment. The trouble is people don’t know that there is help available and the benefits it can bring to their daily life,” says Pam Allan, physiotherapist at My Physio which provides PINC & STEEL’s revolutionary cancer rehabilitation programs.
Ms James agrees. “Historically the advice to cancer patients was to rest and avoid activity. We now know this advice may be harmful to patients, and every person with cancer would benefit from cancer rehab support to ensure they are physically active,” she explains. “There is very strong evidence to show people affected by cancer who participate in exercise experience fewer and less severe side effects from treatments. They also have a lower relative risk of cancer recurring.”