The role of physical therapists in oncology: the great unknown

Abstract

Physical therapy is appropriate for patients with cancer. The literature supports treatment from diagnosis throughout the entire survival period. However, there is a lack of adherence to physical therapy interventions on the part of the patient, who is sometimes reluctant to undergo treatments that differ from surgery or medical treatments, or may be because these patients are unaware of the benefits of physical therapy. Additionally, physical therapists who take responsibility for the care of these patients, lack knowledge and training about current evidence of physical therapy in oncology. Physical therapy is so valuable for this population, but often overlooked and remains in the background or forgotten in oncology. Fortunately, patients' mindset are changing, training in this field is advancing for professionals so it is time for physical therapists to take action.

Keywords:

• Physical therapist
• integrative oncology
• specialization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Acknowledgements

We are members of the same research group and this topic has been discussed for a long time as it has been a part of our research field in the University of Granada in the ‘Cuídate’ Support Unit for Oncology patients (UAPO-Cuídate); so we welcomed the opportunity to participate with a Special Issue focused on Physical therapy in oncology.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Noelia Galiano-Castillo

Dr Noelia Galiano-Castillo is a physical therapist and works as a lecturer at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada. Her main research interest is Physical Therapy in Oncology focused on studying the potential of different modalities such as manual therapy or electrophysical agents to treat side effects of cancer treatment. Furthermore, she is co-author of the e-health system named e-Cuidate with tailored physical activity programs that has shown to be effective and safe to improve quality of life in patients with cancer.

Paula Postigo-Martin

Paula Postigo-Martin is a physical therapist and a PhD student at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada. Her main research interest is Physical Therapy in Oncology and particularly how therapeutic exercise can attenuate cancer-related cardiac dysfunction and the use of mobile or wearable technologies in physical therapists' interventions. She has a fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Education Culture and Sports (FPU17/00939).

Irene Cantarero-Villanueva

Dr Irene Cantarero-Villanueva is a physical therapist with degree in Physical Activity and Sport and works as a lecturer at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada. Her main research interest is Physical Therapy in Oncology focused on how therapeutic exercise can ameliorate side effects of cancer treatment. She has been funded from the Health Research Fund and Carlos III Health Institute (PI18/01840) and Spanish Association Against Cancer (IDEAS19055CANT).