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As part of Shirley Ryan 小恩雅’s regular “Ask the Expert” series, community members submit questions via social media to the hospital’s clinicians and researchers.
The latest featured expert is Ishan Roy, MD, PhD, an attending physician and research scientist at Shirley Ryan 小恩雅 who has deep expertise in the field of cancer rehabilitation. Dr. Roy sees patients with a range of rehabilitation needs stemming from cancer and its treatments, helping them to maintain their health and function.
In addition, Dr. Roy's research focuses on the study of functional decline in patients with cancer, with a particular focus on muscle-wasting disorders such as cachexia. In his lab, he seeks to develop new rehabilitation therapies to help patients with cancer, cachexia and other chronic disease-related impairments.
In the following Q&A (which has been edited for length and clarity), as well as in a video on , Dr. Roy shares his insights about cancer rehabilitation:
Why did you choose to focus on cancer rehabilitation?
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Disability related to cancer is such a common, but under-recognized, problem. Nearly 90% of people with cancer will experience pain, weakness or fatigue — and these are all issues that rehabilitation can help with.
Yet at the same time, these issues don't get the research attention they deserve. That's where my lab comes in.
Who should consider cancer rehabilitation — patients who currently have cancer, survivors, or both?
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Anyone who's had cancer, period. Whether you're newly diagnosed, in treatment, or a long-term survivor, rehabilitation can help improve your function, strength and quality of life.
When should a patient with cancer seek rehabilitation?
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If you have cancer or if its treatments are making your life harder — whether it's walking, working, exercising or engaging in your hobbies — that's the time. Rehabilitation is for anyone looking to feel stronger, safer or more like themselves.
What is cachexia?
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Cachexia is muscle loss that happens during chronic illnesses such as cancer. It's not just due to appetite issues or the inability to eat, but it's also due to inflammation from the disease itself.
Understanding more about cachexia will allow us to better know how to create personalized rehabilitation programs for people with cancer.
Can cancer affect peripheral nerves?
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Absolutely. Peripheral nerves, which are the ones that are outside of your spinal cord (that transmit signals between the nervous system and the rest of the body), can be damaged by a tumor itself or — more commonly — by radiation or chemotherapy. This can lead to pain, numbness or weakness. The good news is that rehabilitation interventions can help.
What does the latest research tell us about the benefits of exercise for those with cancer?
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Exercise helps you feel better, but it might actually help you live longer, too.
In fact, a new study published just last month in the New England Journal of Medicine found that exercise reduces recurrence rates in colon cancer survivors. So, exercise is not just rehabilitation for cancer, but it can be an actual treatment for longevity.
What updates and innovations are you most excited to see in cancer rehabilitation?
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There are two really exciting directions: new technology and a better understanding of biology.
First, technology. Wearables, apps and sensors allow you to track your health in real time and allow you to monitor your own function while you're at home if you have cancer.
Second, we're learning much more about how your body's biology changes in response to cancer. That understanding opens the door to personalized rehabilitation and to new drugs that target your muscles and functional health — an area my lab is focused on in particular.
