Rehabilitation is a method improving the quality of life between or after treatment (Cancer Council NSW, 2024). It is multidisciplinary team dependent where referrals may be arranged through your GP. Bloomhill can also help connect with suitable providers. Rehabilitation can be divided into three phases, including pre-habilitation or the preventative rehabilitation phase, rehabilitation or the restorative rehabilitation phase and the supportive rehabilitation phase (Physiopedia, 2025). Rehabilitation covers a wide area and distinct phases.
Pre-habilitation or preventative rehabilitation
The first phase of rehabilitation is pre-habilitation or preventative rehabilitation. Pre-habilitation is a clinical model that introduces a component of rehabilitation that optimises tolerability and promotes the optimal outcome for the intervention (Stout et al., 2021).
It begins before surgery and/or other cancer treatment to ensure that the individual passes through treatment smoothly, aims to enhance treatment efficacy and hopefully optimise physical and mental recovery.
It also prepares the person for cancer treatment by optimising physical, physiological and emotional health through the prescription of exercise, nutrition and psychological interventions (Gilies, 2019).
Consequently, the three key multidisciplinary services of pre-habilitation including exercise physiology, the dietetics and the psychotherapy are all offered at Bloomhill. Furthermore, the Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP) from the GP can reduce the costs of accessing these services. The first step for rehabilitation is to prepare for it.
Restorative rehabilitation
The second phase after treatment is to recover from treatment. This is what is known as rehabilitation or restorative rehabilitation. Cancer rehabilitation is designed to help individuals return to a normal life with the ability to engage in those activities that are required for everyday life (John Hopkins Medicine [JHM], 2025).
The multidisciplinary team is important for rehabilitation and may include the oncologist, physiotherapist, registered nurse, registered dietician, occupational therapist, social worker and mental health team.
The aim of rehabilitation is to manage pain, improve nutritional status, improve physical conditioning, improving social, cognitive, emotional and sexual functioning and reduce hospitalisations (JHM, 2025; Mayer & Engle, 2022).
Supportive rehabilitation
If rehabilitation has failed or the current condition cannot be remedied, then a third phase or disability may be the result.
It is in the phase that supportive rehabilitation is required. Even though disability is troubling it is something that can be managed with the support of the multidisciplinary team. Bloomhill seeks to maintain high levels of communication between providers to avoid this from occurring.
Supportive rehabilitation may include: in-home support such as cooking and grocery shopping, domestic support for those who are unable to clear or maintain their gardens and care for the individual themselves. (Sunrise2Sunrise, 2022).
The main aim is to empower independence and maintain dignity that can be affected by cancer disability. There are many other organisations that support specific cancers including the Cancer Council, Breast Cancer Australia, Breast Cancer Network and many more (Sunrise2Sunrise, 2022). The support will depend upon what kind of cancer an individual has. However, always remember that Bloomhill is always here to support and help you find a way to rehabilitate and engage you with the appropriate organisations.
References
Brick, R., & Tonorezos, E. S. (2024). Addressing disability in cancer survivors. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 42(19), 1—4. https://ascopubs.org/doi/pdf/10.1200/JCO.24.00479
Cancer Council NSW. (2024). Rehabilitation for advanced cancer. https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/advanced-cancer/living-with-advanced-cancer/treatment-for-advanced-cancer/rehabilitation/
Giles, Ceinwen. (2019). Prehabilitation before cancer treatment. BMJ, 366(15120). https://www.bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l5120
John Hopkins Medicine. (2025). Cancer Rehabilitation. John Hopkins University. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/cancer-rehabilitation
Mayer, R. S., & Engle, J. (2022). Rehabilitation of individuals with cancer. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 46(2), 60—70. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9081390/pdf/arm-22036.pdf
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Eligibility and medical conditions FAQ. https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/how-apply/information-gps-and-health-professionals/eligibility-and-medical-conditions-faq
Physiopedia. (2025). Oncology rehabilitation. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Oncology_Rehabilitation
Stout, N. L., Fu, J. B., & Sliver, J. K. (2021). Pre-habilitation is the gateway to better functional outcomes for individuals with cancer. Journal of Cancer Rehabilitation, 4, 283—286. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8765744/pdf/nihms-1766318.pdf
Sunrise2Sunrise. (2022). Cancer and the NDIS Blog. https://sunrise2sunrise.com.au/cancer-and-the-ndis/
Please contact our Nurses on 07 5445 5794 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
All information provided by Bloomhill is mainly based on research from the Qld Cancer Council and best practice guidelines. Our model of care utilizes the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) domains of wellness along with available clinical evidence. Always consult your care team regarding matters that affect your health. This is a guide intended for information only.
