Cancer Basics Course

Are you a rehabilitation professional or medical provider looking to gain knowledge and confidence in treating oncology?

Woman stretching band in physical therapy

With an estimated 17 million cancer survivors in the United States alone, we need more clinicians to support those living with and beyond cancer!

As experts in the field, we have taken the foundation of oncology rehabilitation and compiled it into an easy-to-follow blueprint that will allow you to start effectively and confidently start treating and helping this population right away!

woman stretching shoulder in physical therapy

With the Cancer Basics Course, you will:

  • Understand the basics of cancer without getting lost in the weeds

  • Get a head start on treating cancer-related impairments

  • Apply your knowledge in real-time with case scenarios

  • Stop feeling like you can’t help patients living with and beyond cancer

woman writing notes, watching laptop class

On-Demand Course:

13+ Hours, Self-Paced Video Modules

Course Description:

In this course, you will learn the basics of cancer, cancer treatments & their side effects, safety when working with oncology patients, the role of the rehab professional in oncology, & appropriate interventions for selected impairments. The course is largely focused on case reviews, & students will be challenged to assess for selected impairments & create sample interventions.

Prerequisite: None. Introductory Course

Course Type: Distance Learning - Independent/Self-Paced. Video and audio modules.

Target Audience: PT / OT / PTA / OTA

Contact Hours: 12.5 Hours

Price: $497 USD or 3-monthly payments of $182.33

Who is this course for?

  • This course was created by two Board-Certified Oncology Clinical Specialists and Physical Therapists and designed for healthcare and rehabilitation clinicians and professionals

Are there CEUs available?

  • Yes, CEUs are available for PT/PTAs in about 40 different states. We are in the process of obtaining CEU approval for OT/COTAs. See more information in the FAQ section below

What is the course length?

On-Demand - 13+ hours of self-paced video modules to be completed when most convenient for you

  • Kelly Sturm

    COURSE INSTRUCTOR

    Physical Therapist, Doctor of Physical Therapy

    Board-Certified Oncologic Physical Therapist

    LANA – Certified Lymphedema Therapist

    Financial Disclosures: Co-founder of The Cancer Rehab Community and receives a salary.

    Nonfinancial Disclosures: Owner and Creator of Cancer Rehab PT

  • Elise Cantu

    COURSE INSTRUCTOR

    Physical Therapist, Doctor of Physical Therapy

    Board-Certified Oncologic Physical Therapist

    LANA – Certified Lymphedema Therapist

    Financial Disclosures: Co-founder of The Cancer Rehab Community and receives a salary.

    Nonfinancial Disclosures: Owner & Voice of TheOncoPT and TheOncoPT Podcast

What Rehab Professionals are Saying

Cancer Basics Course - Course Objectives

What is Cancer?

  1. Describe cancer & why it is harmful to the human body

  2. Briefly describe the history of cancer rehab, including the role of the rehab professional in oncology care today

Cancer Treatment

  1. Describe the mechanism of action, indications, administration methods, goals for, & side effects of chemotherapy

  2. Describe the mechanism of action, indications, administration methods, goals for, & side effects of radiation therapy

  3. Describe the mechanism of action, indications, administration methods, goals for, & side effects of targeted therapy

  4. Describe the mechanism of action, indications, administration methods, goals for, & side effects of cancer surgery

  5. Describe the mechanism of action, indications, administration methods, goals for, & side effects of hormone therapy

  6. Describe radiation fibrosis, including the three phases of & the late effects of radiation fibrosis

Safety

  1. Identify various oncologic emergencies that a person with cancer could experience

  2. Describe appropriate rehab modifications for a person with an oncologic emergency

Role of the Rehab Professional

  1. Discuss the role of rehabilitation across the continuum, including prehabilitation, during cancer treatment, after cancer treatment, long-term survivorship, palliative, and hospice/

Cancer-Related Fatigue

  1. Describe appropriate rehab interventions to address cancer-related fatigue in oncology patients

  2. Analyze a patient case & develop an appropriate treatment plan of care to address cancer-related fatigue

  3. Discuss the 4 criteria for diagnosing cancer-related fatigue.

  4. Discuss and apply chemotherapy periodization exercise to a plan of care for an individual during chemotherapy

  5. Identify the most effective treatment options for cancer-related fatigue

Musculoskeletal Dysfunction

  1. List common contributing factors to musculoskeletal dysfunction in cancer survivors

  2. Describe appropriate rehab interventions to address musculoskeletal dysfunction in oncology patients

  3. Analyze a patient case & develop an appropriate treatment plan of care to address musculoskeletal dysfunction

Debility/Deconditioning

  1. Describe appropriate rehab interventions to address debility/deconditioning in oncology patients

  2. Analyze a patient case & develop an appropriate treatment plan of care to address debility/deconditioning

  3. Identify the difference between sarcopenia and cachexia. 

  4. Discuss the importance of exercise for cardiotoxicity in the cancer population.

  5. Identify current guidelines for exercise prescription for those during and after cancer treatment.

  6. Explain the current recommended exercise guidelines for cancer survivors, given by the American College of Sports Medicine.

  7. Discuss the optimal exercise interventions for individuals before, during, and after cancer treatment.

CIPN/Imbalance

  1. Describe appropriate rehab interventions to address CIPN/imbalance in oncology patients

  2. Identify common chemotherapy agents that cause chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

  3. List the sensory and motor symptoms caused by chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

  4. Explain functional changes an individual may present with who has chemotherapy-peripheral neuropathy

  5. Discuss home safety and balance considerations for those affected by chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

  6. Analyze a patient case & develop an appropriate treatment plan of care to address CIPN/imbalance

Lymphedema

  1. Describe appropriate rehab interventions to address lymphedema in oncology patients

  2. Analyze a patient case & develop an appropriate treatment plan of care to address lymphedema

Rehab Plan of Care/Team Approach/Objective Measures

  1. Discuss the role of team members within the oncology setting, including oncologists, radiation oncologists, dieticians, etc., and how team members may work together.

  2. Screen for impairments or medical changes and identify who to refer to and when.

Course Outline

Competency Demonstration:   

At the conclusion of the course, learners must complete 100% of the modules and also demonstrate a minimum of 80% proficiency in the following course assessments to achieve a passing grade and to be issued Continuing Education Units (CEU). The assessments will demonstrate that the learner has met the objectives listed above.

In addition to the course assessment, learners must complete & submit the course evaluation.

CEU Information: 

Texas:

This activity has been approved by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 12.5 CCUs for PTs and PTAs (course approval number 79372TX; approval expires on 8/5/2025).

New Jersey: 

This course is approved for 12.5 contact hours by the New Jersey Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (course approval number #2708-81). 

Courses approved by other state boards in the following jurisdictions are likely accepted for licensure credit based on the state regulation. 

AL | AK | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | GA | HI | ID | IN | IA | KS | KY | NJ | ME | MA | MI | MO | MT | NE | NH | NC | ND | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | UT | VT | VA | VI | WA | WI | WY

Courses approved by other APTA chapters in the following jurisdictions are likely accepted for licensure credit based on the state regulation. 

AZ | DC | MD | MS | NM 

Please reach out to your state licensing board to confirm the currency and accuracy of this information. If you have a specific question about CEU approval for this course in your state, please direct your inquiry to info@redefinehealthed.com:


The following states are not pre-approved: IL, LA, MN, NV, NY, OH, OK, WV


Participants licensed in states not pre-approved may file for individual approval using the instructions on this document: (copy & paste into your browser) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uINVSr-O7xE95OLRA5FjLYeAB3BjwxfS/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104429963933001498033&rtpof=true&sd=true


Cancellation Policy: 

Please read our cancellation/refund policy here.

Accommodations:

If you require assistance at any point (before, during, or after) any continuing education event, please contact our team Here.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Texas:

    This activity has been approved by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 12.5 CCUs for PTs and PTAs (course approval number 79372TX; approval expires on 8/5/2025).

    New Jersey: 

    This course is approved for 12.5 contact hours by the New Jersey Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (course approval number #2708-81). 

    Courses approved by other state boards in the following jurisdictions are likely accepted for licensure credit based on the state regulation. 

    AL | AK | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | GA | HI | ID | IN | IA | KS | KY | NJ | ME | MA | MI | MO | MT | NE | NH | NC | ND | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | UT | VT | VA | VI | WA | WI | WY

    Courses approved by other APTA chapters in the following jurisdictions are likely accepted for licensure credit based on the state regulation. 

    AZ | DC | MD | MS | NM 

    Please reach out to your state licensing board to confirm the currency and accuracy of this information. If you have a specific question about CEU approval for this course in your state, please direct your inquiry to info@redefinehealthed.com:

    The following states are not pre-approved: IL, LA, MN, NV, NY, OH, OK, WV

    Participants licensed in states not pre-approved may file for individual approval using the instructions on this document: (copy & paste into your browser) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uINVSr-O7xE95OLRA5FjLYeAB3BjwxfS/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104429963933001498033&rtpof=true&sd=true

  • By the end of this course, you will be able to:

    • Briefly describe the history of cancer rehab, including the role of the rehab professional in oncology care today

    • Describe the mechanism of action, indications, administration methods, goals for, & side effects of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy

    • Identify various oncologic emergencies that a person with cancer could experience and describe appropriate rehab modifications

    • Discuss the role of rehabilitation across the continuum, including prehabilitation, during cancer treatment, after cancer treatment, long-term survivorship, palliative, and hospice

    • Describe appropriate, research-supported, rehab interventions to address impairments in oncology patients including cancer-related fatigue, musculoskeletal dysfunction, debility and deconditioning, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and lymphedema

    • Analyze a patient case & develop an appropriate treatment plan of care to address the common impairments experienced before, during, and after cancer and cancer treatment

    • Discuss the role of team members within the oncology setting, including oncologists, radiation oncologists, dieticians, etc., and how team members may work together.

    • Identify appropriate outcome measures to use in the rehab setting for cancer-related impairments and functional limitations

  • This 13+ hour course is $497.

    There is also a payment plan option for 3 monthly payments of $182.33

  • With your enrollment of either course, hybrid of self-paced, you will be automatically added to our ongoing online community. In the cancer community, you will be able to ask questions to us and your colleagues, help problem-solve complex or new cases, and stay updated in discussions around new research and rehab findings.

  • Absolutely not! There are over 17 MILLION cancer survivors currently in the US, and expected to grow to over 20 million by 2026. There are also 1.8 million Americans diagnosed with cancer every year. It’s not a matter of if you treat someone with cancer, it’s when! All rehab and medical professionals will encounter individuals who are living with and beyond cancer and this course will equip you to support and treat them safely, effectively, and confidently.

  • If you require assistance at any point (before, during, or after) any continuing education event, please contact our team Here.

Ready to Gain Confidence in treating oncology?