NEWS

Adena looks to pioneer cancer rehab in southern Ohio

Cindi Remy
Special to the Gazette
Members of the Cancer Rehab Team at the Adena Cancer Center pose for a photo at the center.

CHILLICOTHE — Rehabilitation is usually associated with those who have had a stroke or suffered a severe injury. Rarely do we associate rehab with cancer. Now, Adena Health System is on the leading edge of a new thought process that continues care after cancer treatment.

Survivorship Training and Rehab (STAR) is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Adena Rehabilitation team and the Adena Cancer Center. Adena is also the only STAR-certified health system in Southern Ohio.

“Historically the thought has always been if you had cancer, you made it through the treatments, you went home to rest, and you’d bounce back. Well, that’s the opposite of what research is telling us,” said Laura Adams, rehabilitation manager for Adena Regional Medical Center. “Research shows us that challenging the functional endurance of patients actually helps them return to a better quality of life.”

Studies show that between 65 to 90 percent of cancer patients could benefit from rehabilitation following their medical treatment. The rehab protocol has also been found to combat side effects of cancer and its treatments.

“We noticed there was a huge piece of survivorship care that we were missing,” Adams added. “We had the medical side down really well, but it was the care after that point that needed to be examined.”

Each training and rehabilitation program is tailored to meet a survivor’s needs following medical treatment. Rehab tackles fatigue mostly, but it also deals with secondary issues such as range of motion (especially in breast cancer patients), and strength and balance issues following chemotherapy and radiation. The four- to six-week program involves cardio and strength training with a rehabilitation therapist, as well as exercises the patient can do at home.

“With this new protocol, there is no reason for a survivor to have to deal with fatigue when there are tools available to help them get back to their lives,” Adams said.

The STAR program is open to all cancer survivors, regardless of where they receive their treatment. Those who may benefit from the STAR program should contact their physician for a referral to the customized program.