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Home » Exercise Programs » Rehab program benefits cancer patients – Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

Rehab Empowers, Assists, Changes, Heals (REACH), is North Mississippi Medical Centers cancer rehabilitation program.

REACH addresses the needs of a patient during their journey through cancer treatments, as well as their life as a cancer survivor. Survivorship is a term that indicates a person who has survived longer than five years after being diagnosed with cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, one in two women and one in three men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The number of people reaching survivorship status after their initial diagnosis reached nearly 14.5 million in 2014 and is expected to rise to almost 19 million by 2024.

Chemotherapy, radiation and surgical treatments may leave a patient with short- and long-term side effects, which may include fatigue, decreased physical function, loss of muscle or strength, depression, neuropathy, lymphedema and pain. A decline in a persons quality of life is expected during cancer treatment. REACH is a specialized cancer rehab program made up of a team of physical, occupational and speech therapists whose goal is to restore a patient to the highest level of function achievable, therefore, improving the patients quality of life.

The REACH program has four levels of care, according to the Commission on Accredited Rehabilitation Facilities: preventive, restorative, supportive and palliative care.

Preventive care educates patients on likely symptoms of their treatment due to their specific diagnosis, and offers ideas to minimize the decline in function prior to beginning treatments. Restorative care is therapy that addresses the decline in function related to the side effects of the treatment. This phase focuses on increasing strength, endurance and range of motion; improving balance; decreasing pain and returning patients to their prior functional level so that they can participate once again in hobbies, work and community.

Supportive care is available to patients and families affected by ongoing disabilities related to cancer. The REACH team, working with the patients other care providers, can provide resources in the community to help maintain a good quality of life at home. Palliative care is needed when chronic symptoms persist, or if an advanced cancer stage is present. Rehab can assist the patient with episodes of decreased function and mobility, including caregiver education on managing the patients disabilities.

Exercise has many benefits during cancer treatments and for cancer survivors. The exercise programs are based on the individuals needs and personal history. The type and stage of cancer, the type of treatment, the medication being taken and a persons level of endurance and strength are part of planning an exercise program.

Vital signs are monitored and exercise is provided in a safe environment with a physicians approval. The benefits of exercise include maintaining physical abilities, rebuilding lost muscle strength, improving balance, improving flexibility, maintaining independence with the activities of daily living, decreasing fatigue, improving self-esteem, improving blood flow, lowering the risk of heart disease and improving a persons quality of life. The overall goal is to keep the patient living life to the fullest and doing the things he or she wants to do.

Stephanie Magee is a physical therapist with North Mississippi Medical Centers Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at Longtown Medical Park.

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Rehab program benefits cancer patients - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

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Home » Exercise Programs » Rehab program benefits cancer patients – Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal