Managing Common Disabilities Among Patients with Cancer: Strategies for Coping and Enhancing Quality of Life

Conventional cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, are often attributed to various problems, affecting daily functioning and negatively impacting overall health. This chapter presents a detailed discussion of the numerous restrictions and functional limitations that patients with cancer experience during and after the treatment. It offers common approaches for determining the grading of cancer-related disabilities for a correct diagnosis and further treatment. In turn, a range of strategies aimed at enhancing the well-being of individuals with cancer are being introduced to address the identified challenges. This chapter also addresses the significant measures, including professional interventions in medical treatment and rehabilitation, as well as the support of social and political institutions. This chapter also symbolizes rounds of other supportive care approaches to some prevalent disability patterns in cancer survivorship, including pain control, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and swallowing therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and more. These interventions, on the one hand, seek to relieve suffering and optimize quality of life and, on the other hand, increase capacity to function and minimize the impact of cancer on the disabling effects in patients. The presented information can ensure the most adequate discussion of social and medical issues that condition cancer treatment, helping to offer a comprehensive approach. The central thesis of the present work is that there is a need to provide the most efficient practical solutions that could meet the diverse requirements of people who have cancer, including satisfaction of medical needs and improving their quality of life in other aspects.