CANCER SERVICES
Our team of experienced Oncology Exercise Physiologists and Dietitian's provide targeted exercise programs and nutritional advice to support people undergoing cancer treatment.
Our team of experienced Oncology Exercise Physiologists (EPs) & Dietitian’s have worked within this space for the last 13 years. We understand the latest research around targeted exercise programs and nutritional advice to support people undergoing cancer treatment.
With our breadth of experience we also understand the challenges and barriers of living well with cancer to ensure our programs are individualised to the person in front of us.
Oncology Exercise Physiology
Research has proven the effectiveness and safety of targeted exercise programs at any time point throughout cancer treatment. Our Oncology Exercise Physiologists have an understanding of the disease process of cancer and the common treatments used. We apply exercise physiology principles to use exercise as medicine to manage common side effects and improve treatment outcomes.
The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) Published A Position Statement on Exercise in Cancer Care in 2020 which had been updated from the 2018 version call for all health professionals involved in the care of people with cancer to:
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Discuss the role of exercise in cancer recovery
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Recommend their patients follow the exercise guidelines
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Refer their patients to a health professional who specialists in the prescription and devliery of exercise (ie. Oncology EP) with experience in Cancer Care.
Benefits of Oncology Exercise Physiology
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Reduces risk of recurrence
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Improves treatment side effects such as nausea, pain, chemo brain, sleep disturbances & fatigue
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Specific programs designed to assist with cancer-related fatigue
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Improves immune function
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Improves cardio-respiratory fitness, strength & physical function
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Improves quality of life
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Improves mental health
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Improves treatment outcomes
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Emerging evidence shows that specific doses of exercise can suppress tumour growth
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Improves bone density
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Decreases the risk of other lifestyle health conditions related to a sedentary lifestyle
Oncology Dietetics
Oncology Dietetics is a specialised field of dietetics that focuses on the nutrition needs of cancer patients. It involves creating personalised nutrition plans that support patients through various stages of their cancer journey, from diagnosis and treatment to recovery and beyond.
Oncology dietitians work closely with patients to manage symptoms, maintain strength, and improve overall quality of life through tailored nutritional interventions.
Benefits of Oncology Dietetics
Proper nutrition is crucial, especially during cancer treatment. Oncology dietetics offers numerous benefits, including:
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Enhanced Treatment Tolerance: Customised diets can help manage side effects of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite or difficulty swallowing.
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Strength and Energy Maintenance: Adequate nutrition supports muscle strength, energy levels, and immune function, helping you better withstand treatments and improve your outcomes.
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Improved Recovery: Balanced diets can facilitate faster recovery post-treatment and during remission, promoting healing and reducing the risk of malnutrition.
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Quality of Life: Personalised nutrition plans can improve overall well-being, making everyday activities more manageable and enhancing quality of life during and after treatment.
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Taking out the guess work: Finally, a new diagnosis can be overwhelming, and often comes with lots of questions. Working with a dietitian can help separate myth from facts with evidence-based nutrition.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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When should cancer patients start with Exercise Physiology and Dietetics during their cancer treatment?You can come and see our Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEP) or Dietitians at any point during your cancer treatment or recovery. For Exercise Physiology: Ideally, seeing an AEP right from diagnosis is most advantageous. We can ensure you are doing the right amount of exercise based on your individual circumstances, medical history, and treatment pathway. Just like your oncologist or other medical professionals may prescribe a certain dosage of medication, exercise should be treated in the same way. Your individual prescription might involve finding ways to continue what you are already doing throughout treatment, or it may involve starting some exercise from scratch. For Dietetics: If you have any nutrition concerns, are noticing treatment side effects impacting your food intake or taste changes, we recommend coming to see our Dietitian. Our expert team can also help debunk many of the nutrition myths found online.
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How to Access Our ServicesWe are available at our three locations in Sydney: Cremorne – at the Balanced Bodies Lifestyle Clinic Darlinghurst – within the Kinghorn Cancer Centre North Sydney – The Mater Hospital, The Centre for Wellbeing Two of our locations are situated within renowned cancer centres, alongside oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, and other oncology health professionals. We are also available Australia-wide via our Telehealth programs.
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Why is nutrition important during cancer treatment?Proper nutrition helps manage treatment side effects, supports the immune system, maintains energy levels and muscle mass, which are essential for the body's recovery and overall health.
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How can an oncology dietitian help me?An oncology dietitian can create a customised eating plan to address your specific needs, manage symptoms, and improve your treatment outcomes; for example taking into consideration fatigue, taste changes, nausea and weight loss.
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Will I need to follow a strict diet?Your dietitian will work with you to develop a flexible and manageable plan that fits your preferences and lifestyle while meeting your nutritional needs.
