Clinician's Commentary on Canestraro et al.

Abstract

What is the extent of oncology rehabilitation services for individuals who are currently receiving or have undergone cancer treatment in Canada? To answer this question, Canestraro and colleagues administered a descriptive cross-sectional online survey to facilities offering medical treatments for cancer as well as to those listed as providing rehabilitation services for cancer patients and survivors.1 Their findings demonstrate the scarcity of oncology rehabilitation services and programmes across the country. Through a comprehensive search, Canestraro and colleagues identified 179 facilities across Canada; only 62 survey responses were received, however, and of these only 20 reported having a formal oncology rehabilitation programme in their facility. A total of 41 facilities reported that they did not have a formal oncology rehabilitation programme and cited lack of funding and lack of access to space and equipment as primary barriers. At many of these sites, oncology patients were being referred to non-specific rehabilitation programmes such as outpatient orthopaedic services or private clinics. This study is timely. In Canada, the number of people diagnosed with cancer each year continues to increase, while at the same time survival is improving. The most recent prevalence data, published in 2009, are based on people diagnosed between 1995 and 2004,2 and as of January 1, 2005, there were more than 700,000 survivors of cancer in Canada.2 Thus it is likely that the true number of survivors has surpassed the 1,000,000 mark today. Clearly, current rehabilitation service levels are inadequate to meet the needs of this growing population.