Course Description:
The American Cancer Society estimates there are currently 17 million Americans surviving their diagnosis of cancer. Because of improved detection and treatment, survival rates are improving. Cancer treatments however are not without peril as the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have a deleterious impact on function in a majority of patients. These side effects may occur in both the short and long term and many persist over the remaining lifetime of the patient. Two types of cancers that have been shown to greatly benefit from rehabilitation are breast and head and neck cancers. In 2021, it is estimated that 281,550 American women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. The 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is ~90% and there are 3.8 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. An estimated 65,630 Americans will be diagnosed with head and neck cancers in 2021. Fortunately, the number of deaths from head and neck cancer has decreased over the past 20 years causing an increase of individuals surviving their diagnosis with a variety of impairments related to cancer and treatments.

This course will build upon knowledge gained in the basic oncology rehabilitation course for rehabilitation professionals who want to gain advanced knowledge about breast and head and neck cancers. An in-depth review of epidemiology, diagnosis, and medical treatment for breast and head and neck cancers will be discussed. Evidence-based treatment planning, specific to a rehabilitation plan of care will be discussed across the cancer care continuum including rehabilitation, active cancer treatment, and survivorship. A case-based approach will also be implemented to encourage active learning and application.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
– Describe perioperative treatment care for breast and head and neck cancers including assessment and interventions.
– Describe active cancer treatment care for breast and head and neck cancers including assessment and interventions for commonly occurring treatment related side-effects.
– Describe post-treatment care for breast and head and neck cancers including assessment and interventions targeting long-term and late effects.
– Apply the current evidence, including guidelines to discuss how rehabilitation can ameliorate impairments in individuals with breast and head and neck cancers.

Intended Audience:
The information presented in this course is clinically relevant for Physical Therapist (PT), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Occupational Therapist (OT), and Occupational Therapist Assistants (OTA) and Speech Language Pathologist practitioners*.

*Speech Language Pathologists will attend the 2nd half of the 1st day of the course and the entire 2nd day.