Living With & After Cancer

Cancer rehabilitation physiatry is the specialty focused on partnering with individuals who have or have had cancer to optimize their function and physical well-being. Cancer rehabilitation can be part of your care before (prehab), during, and after cancer treatment. This may involve several specialists, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and physiatry. Everyone's needs are unique, and your rehab care team will be individualized to you. The goal of cancer rehabilitation is to enhance your ability to participate in your lives at home and at work, and with your hobbies and priorities. Cancer rehabilitation can help with:

• Improving your mobility and walking
• Increasing your strength and endurance
• Facilitating your ability to perform your activities of daily living and caring for yourself (i.e. getting dressed, taking a shower, etc.)
• Decreasing pain
• Reducing fatigue
• Improving joint pain, stiffness, and range of motion
• Addressing symptoms of numbness, tingling, or weakness
• Managing swelling related to lymphedema
• Addressing long-term or late effects of radiation fibrosis syndrome

The clinic is currently located in The Vanderbilt Clinic (TVC). If you would like to be evaluated by cancer physiatry, ask your provider for a referral.

Some cancer treatments may have cardiac effects during and after treatment. Talk to your provider if you would like to be seen by a specialty-trained cardiologist who can monitor and treat any cardiac symptoms that arise.

This type of care combines mind and body practices, natural products, and/or lifestyle modification in combination with conventional cancer treatment. This approach empowers patients throughout the treatment regimen as well as after-cancer therapy.

The Lymphedema Therapy Clinic is staffed by highly skilled and experienced certified lymphedema therapists and offers individualized care to patients experiencing swelling, pain, skin changes, and impaired mobility related to lymphedema. Ask your provider for a referral.

The mental and emotional distress created by a cancer diagnosis is significant. It is common for people with cancer to experience a range of emotions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and grief.

Because your emotional wellbeing is also part of cancer care, we are able to offer counseling services tailored to the unique needs of cancer patients and survivors through Vanderbilt Behavioral Health. Psychiatric medication consultation and psychotherapy (counseling) services are available to our patients throughout treatment and up to two years post-treatment.

For more information or a referral, talk to your provider or social worker.

The Research, Education, Advocacy, Clinical Care and Health Promotion (REACH) for survivorship program assists patients in adapting to the many complex issues experienced when dealing with cancer. A cancer diagnosis has lasting effects, and we offer support through the entire continuum of care, including after treatment is over. The REACH for Survivorship Program welcomes cancer survivors of all ages and cancer types, no matter which healthcare provider they use. You can benefit from the REACH for Survivorship Program if you:

• Have ever completed cancer treatment
• Want to learn more about physical, emotional, or practical issues related to cancer and its treatment
• Are doing well but want to remain healthy
• Are experiencing difficulties and need help and support

We offer a full range of follow-up care designed to meet your physical, emotional, and practical needs. You will receive a personalized Cancer Survivorship Care Plan that will be your roadmap for future health and well-being. If you are a provider and would like to refer a patient to this program, please call (615) 936-8422.

Frequently Asked Questions

Supportive and Palliative Oncology at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center provides evidence-based compassionate, holistic, and patient-centered care to patients and loved ones who are facing cancer diagnoses. Cancer diagnosis and management can be debilitating on its own, and often brings along physical, mental, and spiritual pain and suffering. Our team provides pain and symptom management for medically complex patients as well as psychosocial support for patients and their families. The clinic also provides clarification of medical options and care decisions and advance care planning.

This service is located on the first floor of The Vanderbilt Clinic. Patients who receive cancer treatment at Vanderbilt may self-refer by calling (615) 936-8422 or request a referral from their oncology team.