Physiotherapy
Following a cancer diagnosis, our Cancer Rehabilitation Team offers physiotherapy assessment and support before and after your surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The team also offers nutritional and occupational assessment and support.
How can a physiotherapist help you?
Being more physically active can help you with the challenges and side effects of treatment.
An assessment with a physiotherapist can:
- improve physical fitness, strength and confidence before treatment or surgery
- provide an individualised assessment of breathing difficulties related to diagnosis and treatment
- deliver exercise and physical activity education for all levels of fitness, including people with long term complex health conditions
- provide a specialist assessment of cancer-related tiredness and deconditioning (when a period of inactivity or bedrest affects the way your body functions) to help support you to get through chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone treatment
- restore strength, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness and confidence after surgery or long inpatient admission
- empower you to live well with cancer, including how to exercise when living with bone metastases
- help you to manage symptoms and recover function if you have been affected by chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (damage to nerves from chemotherapy that control the sensations and movements of our arms, legs, hands, and feet).
Who can I speak to about referral?
If you feel you would benefit from a service, please ask your clinical nurse specialist to complete a referral request. The team has referral criteria that you will need to meet in order to be contacted.
What happens after referral?
If your referral is accepted, you could be offered any of the following based on the information provided in the referral:
- one-to-one consultation (either in person or virtual)
- invitation to attend a group information or exercise session
- phone call to discuss your rehab needs
- signposting to online information
- written information by post
We are based at the following locations:
- King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill
- Beckenham Beacon, Croydon Road, Beckenham
- Orpington Hospital, Bromley
Find out more information about physical activity and cancer.