Cancer and its treatment create challenges, disruptions, and obstacles to full participation in life roles and everyday activities. The growing population of cancer survivors across the lifespan presents an immediate challenge and opportunity for occupational therapy practitioners to provide occupation-focused, evidence-based interventions that support participation. As availability of rehabilitation services for cancer increases, occupational therapy practitioners must be prepared to meet the needs of this population. Cancer and Occupational Therapy equips clinicians to meet clients’ needs across the cancer care continuum, from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship or end of life. Highlights include: Part I. Understanding Cancer and Cancer Rehabilitation—cancer demographics and trends, cancer treatment approaches, applying the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework with cancer survivors. Part II. Impact of Common Forms of Cancer Across the Lifespan—special considerations for children, adolescents and young adults, adults, older adults with cancer. Part III. Cancer Care Continuum and Cancer Rehabilitation—primary and secondary prevention, acute and medically complex settings, prehabilitation, acute inpatient rehabilitation, survivorship, palliative care and hospice, home health and the community. Part IV. Sequelae of Cancer and Interventions Across the Lifespan—cancer-related fatigue, pain, and cognitive impairment; lymphedema; chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Part V. Cancer and Participation in Occupation Across the Lifespan—psychosocial issues, ADLs and IADLs, rest and sleep, play and leisure, education, work, social participation, caregiving. Aligned with the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, this important new text includes case examples, key terms and concepts, and practical guidance to help survivors fully participate in valued occupations at all points in the cancer experience.

For adult clients with cancer, occupational therapy practitioners provide interventions focused on rehabilitation, helping clients resume occupations and activities of daily living. This Practice Guideline provides an overview of the evidence for the effectiveness of various occupational therapy interventions for adults with cancer who are undergoing rehabilitation. The occupational therapy process for adults with cancer is described, defining the domain and interventions that occur within acceptable occupational therapy practice. Evidence is presented on occupational therapy interventions with multidisciplinary programs, symptom management, psychosocial needs, physical activity, lymphedema management, CHAIH, PAMs, sexuality, and return to work. Appendixes include selected CPT® codes for occupational therapy, an explanation of evidence-based practice, and evidence tables on a flash drive for ease of use. These guidelines should be useful to the many entities involved in providing occupational therapy services to individuals with cancer, such as occupational therapy practitioners, team members, educators, clients, families, caregivers, third-party payers, and policymakers.