By Jan, Physiotherapist at Cancer Relief.
As a physiotherapist at the Cancer Relief Centre, I’m here to support you before, during, and after your cancer treatment. My role is to help you manage symptoms, aid recovery, improve your quality of life, and support you in regaining your strength and confidence.
When you receive a cancer diagnosis, becoming more physically active can be an important part of coping with the challenges and side effects of treatment.
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy can cause physical issues such as muscle weakness, joint stiffness, fatigue, pain, and reduced mobility. I work with you to create a personalised rehabilitation programme that addresses your individual needs, helping you maintain independence and improve your physical ability.
When you come for an assessment, I can:
- Improve your physical fitness, strength, and confidence before treatment or surgery – this is known as Prehabilitation
- Offer an individualised assessment of breathing difficulties related to your cancer or its treatment
- Provide guidance and education on exercise and physical activity for all fitness levels
- Assess and support you with cancer-related fatigue and deconditioning, especially during chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone treatment
- Help restore your strength, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness and confidence after surgery
- Support you in managing pain and restoring musculoskeletal function through techniques such as acupuncture, soft tissue massage, and stretches
I also work closely with Kyrone Watson, our personal trainer, who helps patients progress further with exercise and fitness. Together, we support you in rebuilding your confidence so you can return to the activities you enjoy.
If you’re affected by cancer and experiencing any of these symptoms, please know that I’m here to help. My aim is to support you throughout your cancer journey and help you return to the things that matter most to you — as independently as possible.
