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Rehabilitation and Recovery Post-Cancer Treatment in the UAE

17 Jul, 2024

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Dealing with cancer treatment is tough, but in the UAE, there's amazing support to help you recover. After treatment, the focus shifts to rehabilitation for both physical and emotional recovery. Hospitals like American Hospital Dubai, Mediclinic City Hospital Dubai, and Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi offer tailored exercises, nutritional advice, counselling, and specialized therapies. They understand your journey and are dedicated to helping you regain strength, manage pain, and boost well-being. If you're in the UAE and ready to start your recovery journey, these hospitals are here to support you every step of the way.


Cancer Rehabilitation

Cancer rehabilitation is all about helping cancer survivors get back on track and feel like themselves again after treatment. It's not just about recovering physically from things like fatigue, pain, or mobility issues caused by treatments—it's also about taking care of your emotional well-being.

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Imagine having a team of experts who understand what you've been through and are dedicated to helping you feel stronger and more like yourself every day. They'll work with you on personalized exercise plans to rebuild your strength and manage any lingering pain. Plus, they'll provide emotional support to help you deal with feelings of anxiety, depression, or stress that often come with a cancer diagnosis.

The goal is to not only help you recover physically but also to improve your overall quality of life. It's about giving you the tools and support you need to thrive after cancer treatment. So, if you're in the UAE and looking for help with your recovery journey, consider reaching out to these rehabilitation programs—they're here to help you every step of the way.

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Key Components of Cancer Rehabilitation in the UAE

Cancer rehabilitation in the UAE encompasses several key components tailored to support patients in their recovery journey. These components are crucial in addressing both physical and emotional aspects of post-cancer treatment care:


A. Personalized Plans: Tailored Exercise Routines

Physical therapists in cancer rehabilitation create personalized exercise plans based on your specific needs and current physical condition. These plans are designed to:

a. Rebuild Strength: Gradually increase muscle strength that may have been affected by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery.
b. Enhance Mobility: Focus on improving flexibility, range of motion, and overall mobility, helping you regain movement and function.

The exercises prescribed are tailored to your fitness level and any limitations you may have due to treatment side effects. They may include:

a. Resistance Training: Using weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises to build muscle strength.
b. Cardiovascular Exercises: Activities like walking, stationary biking, or swimming to improve heart and lung function.

c. Flexibility and Stretching: Stretching exercises to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness in muscles and joints.

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B. Pain Management: Techniques and Therapies

Managing pain is a crucial aspect of cancer rehabilitation. Physical therapists employ various techniques and therapies to alleviate treatment-related pain, such as:

a. Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques including massage, joint mobilization, and soft tissue manipulation to reduce pain and improve movement.
b. Modalities: Therapeutic modalities like heat therapy, cold therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation to relieve pain and promote healing.
c. Mind-Body Techniques: Techniques such as relaxation exercises, mindfulness, or guided imagery to help manage pain perception and stress.

The goal is not just to mask pain symptoms but to address the underlying causes and improve your overall comfort and quality of life.


C. Lymphedema Management: Specialized Care

Lymphedema, swelling caused by lymphatic system damage from cancer treatments, requires specialized care in rehabilitation. Physical therapists provide:

a. Comprehensive Assessment: Evaluation of lymphedema severity and its impact on your daily activities.
b. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): Gentle massage techniques to stimulate lymphatic flow and reduce swelling.
c. Compression Therapy: Using compression garments or bandaging techniques to maintain reduced swelling.
d. Exercise Programs: Gentle exercises to promote lymphatic drainage and improve circulation.

By focusing on lymphedema management, therapists help minimize swelling, prevent complications, and improve your comfort and mobility.


Physical therapy and exercise programs in cancer rehabilitation are meticulously designed to address your individual needs, enhance physical function, manage pain effectively, and support lymphedema management. These programs play a crucial role in your recovery journey, helping you regain strength, mobility, and overall well-being after cancer treatment. If you're in the UAE and undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, these specialized programs can provide invaluable support and guidance.


2. Nutritional Counseling

Nutritional counselling in cancer rehabilitation involves personalized guidance and support to help you optimize your diet for recovery and manage the side effects of treatment. Here's how it works:

A. Customized Guidance:

Registered dietitians assess your nutritional needs based on your cancer type, treatment plan, and overall health status. They create tailored diet plans that focus on:

a. Balanced Nutrition: Ensuring you receive adequate nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to support healing and recovery.
b. Managing Side Effects: Addressing common treatment side effects like nausea, taste changes, appetite loss, and digestive issues through specific dietary recommendations.

c. Hydration: Emphasizing the importance of staying hydrated to support overall health and manage treatment-related dehydration.


B. Weight Management:

Dietitians provide strategies to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight during and after cancer treatment:

a. Caloric Needs: Calculate your individual calorie requirements based on your metabolic needs and physical activity level.
b. Healthy Eating Habits: Promoting balanced eating habits that support weight maintenance and overall well-being.

c. Monitoring and Adjustments: Monitoring your nutritional status and making adjustments to your diet plan as needed throughout your recovery journey.


3. Psychosocial Support

Psychosocial support is vital in cancer rehabilitation, addressing the emotional and social aspects of coping with cancer diagnosis and treatment:

A. Counseling Services: 

Licensed counsellors or psychologists provide individual counselling sessions to help you cope with emotional challenges such as:

a. Anxiety and Fear: Managing feelings of anxiety and uncertainty about cancer diagnosis, treatment outcomes, and future health.
b. Depression: Addressing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loss related to the impact of cancer on your life and relationships.

c. Stress Management: Teaching relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and coping strategies to reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being.


B. Support Groups: 

Joining support groups offers opportunities to connect with other cancer survivors facing similar challenges:


a. Peer Support: Sharing experiences, insights, and emotional support with others who understand what you're going through.
b. Building Resilience: Learning from others' coping strategies and gaining a sense of community and belonging.
c. Education and Empowerment: Accessing information, resources, and practical tips for navigating life after cancer treatment.


Nutritional counselling and psychosocial support are integral components of cancer rehabilitation in the UAE, providing personalized guidance, emotional support, and opportunities for connection. These services are designed to enhance your overall quality of life, promote healing, and empower you to thrive during and after cancer treatment. If you're in the UAE and undergoing cancer treatment, consider exploring these supportive services to complement your medical care and optimize your recovery journey.


4. Speech and Swallowing Therapy

Speech and swallowing therapy is crucial for patients recovering from throat or mouth cancers, focusing on restoring communication and eating abilities:

A. Rehabilitation Services: 

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) assess and provide targeted therapies to improve:

a. Speech Clarity: Techniques to enhance pronunciation and articulation affected by surgery or radiation.
b. Swallowing Function: Exercises to strengthen muscles used for swallowing and strategies to manage swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
c. Voice Quality: Rehabilitation techniques to improve voice production and quality post-treatment.

These therapies are tailored to your specific needs and may include exercises, techniques, and assistive devices to support your recovery.


5. Cognitive Rehabilitation

Cognitive rehabilitation addresses memory and concentration issues that may arise from cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy:

a. Memory Enhancement: Cognitive exercises and strategies to improve memory recall, organization, and problem-solving skills.
b. Attention and Concentration: Techniques to enhance focus, attention span, and mental clarity.
c. Adaptive Strategies: Learning compensatory strategies to manage cognitive changes and improve daily functioning.

Cognitive rehabilitation programs are designed by neuropsychologists or occupational therapists to help you regain cognitive abilities and adapt to any changes in cognitive function.


6. Comprehensive Care Coordination

Comprehensive care coordination ensures a holistic approach to cancer rehabilitation, integrating various healthcare professionals to provide cohesive and personalized care:

a. Multidisciplinary Approach: Collaboration among oncologists, rehabilitation specialists (physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists), dietitians, psychologists or counsellors, and other healthcare providers.
b. Integrated Treatment Planning: Developing personalized care plans that address your medical, physical, nutritional, psychological, and social needs.
c. Continuity of Care: Ensuring seamless transitions between different phases of treatment and rehabilitation, from diagnosis through survivorship or palliative care.
d. Patient Education: Providing comprehensive information about your cancer diagnosis, treatment options, potential side effects, and self-care strategies.
e. Empowerment: Equipping you with knowledge and skills to actively participate in decision-making regarding your healthcare and rehabilitation goals.

By fostering collaboration and patient-centred care, comprehensive care coordination optimizes outcomes and enhances your overall well-being during and after cancer treatment.

7. Reintegration Support

Reintegration support focuses on helping patients resume their normal activities, including daily routines and work life, after completing cancer treatment:

A. Return to Daily Activities: 

Strategies are tailored to gradually rebuild physical stamina and confidence, enabling patients to resume activities such as household chores, hobbies, and social engagements.

a. Gradual Progression: Physical therapists and occupational therapists work with patients to develop personalized plans that gradually increase activity levels while monitoring fatigue and adjusting as needed.
b. Functional Training: Techniques may include adaptive equipment, energy conservation strategies, and guidance on managing treatment-related symptoms during daily activities.

B. Workplace Reintegration: 

Assistance is provided to support patients in transitioning back to work:
a. Workplace Assessments: Evaluating job demands and recommending accommodations or modifications to facilitate a smooth return.
b. Educational Workshops: Providing information on managing fatigue, handling emotional challenges, and communicating with employers and colleagues about cancer survivorship.
c. Vocational Counseling: Offering guidance on career planning, job retraining, or exploring new work opportunities if necessary.

These supportive services aim to help patients regain independence and productivity in their personal and professional lives post-treatment.


8. Long-term Follow-up and Monitoring

Long-term follow-up and monitoring ensure ongoing support and proactive management of any potential long-term effects of cancer treatment:

A. Continued Support: 

Regular check-ups and consultations with oncologists, rehabilitation specialists, and other healthcare providers to monitor health status, manage ongoing symptoms, and address any emerging concerns.

B. Survivorship Care Plans: 

Personalized plans that outline recommended screenings, follow-up appointments, and lifestyle recommendations to promote overall health and well-being.

a. Health Education: Providing information on survivorship issues such as managing treatment side effects, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and recognizing signs of cancer recurrence or secondary cancers.
b. Psychosocial Support: Offering continued access to counselling services, support groups, and resources to address emotional and social challenges that may persist into survivorship.

These programs are designed to empower cancer survivors to actively participate in their long-term health management and enhance their quality of life beyond treatment completion.


By addressing these key components, cancer rehabilitation in the UAE aims to optimize the quality of life for survivors, supporting them in achieving physical recovery, emotional well-being, and a renewed sense of normalcy after cancer treatment.



Leading Hospitals in the UAE Offering Rehabilitation Services

1. Mediclinic City Hospital


  • Established Year: 2008
  • Location: 37 26th St - Umm Hurair 2 - Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

About The Hospital

  • Mediclinic City Hospital is a state-of-the-art healthcare facility. It is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by highly trained professionals.
  • Number of Beds: 280
  • Number of Surgeons: 3
  • The hospital boasts 80 doctors and over 30 specialists.
  • Neonatal Beds: 27
  • Operating Rooms: 6, plus 3 daycare surgery units, 1 C-section OT
  • Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories: 2
  • Endoscopy suites, fully equipped laboratory, emergency department, labour and post-natal wards.
  • Advanced Medical Technology: PET/CT, SPECT CT, and 3T MRI.
  • The hospital offers specialist-focused treatment in areas such as cardiology, radiology, gynaecology, trauma, nuclear medicine, endocrinology, and more.
  • Mediclinic City Hospital offers specialities in Urology, Neurology, Gynaecology, General Surgery, Gastroenterology, E.N.T, Dermatology, Cardiology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Bariatric Surgery, Paediatric Neurology, Paediatric Oncology, and Paediatric Orthopaedics, staffed by top doctors in each field.

2. Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi


  • Established Year: 2012
  • Location: 28th St - Mohamed Bin Zayed City - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates

About The Hospital:

  • Total Number of Beds: 180ICU Beds: 31 (Including 13 Neonatal ICU and 18 Adult ICU Beds)
  • Labour and Delivery Suites: 8
  • Operation Theatres: 10 (Including 1 state-of-the-art Hybrid OR)
  • Day Care Beds: 42
  • Dialysis Beds: 13
  • Endoscopy Beds: 4
  • IVF Beds: 5
  • OR Day Care Beds: 20
  • Emergency Beds: 22
  • Individual Patient Rooms: 135
  • 1.5 & 3.0 Tesla MRI and 64-slice CT scan
  • Luxury Suites: Royal Suites: 6000 sq. ft. each
  • Presidential Suites: 3000 sq. ft.
  • Majestic Suites
  • Executive Suites
  • Premier & Deluxe Rooms
  • Designed to be a hub for tertiary and quaternary oncology treatment.
  • Specializes in adult and pediatric subspecialties, long-term, and palliative care.
  • Offers immunotherapy and molecularly targeted therapies.
  • Provides state-of-the-art diagnosis and compassionate treatment.
  • Offers exceptional support services for patients and their families.
  • Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi offers advanced care and expertise in cardiology, paediatrics, ophthalmology, oncology, IVF, gynaecology & obstetrics, orthopaedics & sports medicine, a dedicated Shoulder and Upper Limb Unit, Burjeel Vascular Centre, and bariatric & metabolic surgery. This state-of-the-art hospital provides comprehensive, top-quality healthcare services to patients, ensuring their unique medical needs are met with the highest level of care and expertise. Burjeel Medical City is committed to providing high-quality medical care in a comfortable and technologically advanced environment.

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Rehabilitation and recovery post-cancer treatment in the UAE emphasizes personalized care and comprehensive support. By addressing physical, emotional, and social aspects of recovery, these programs help cancer survivors regain their quality of life and transition back to daily activities with confidence.

For anyone navigating the challenges of cancer treatment, knowing that such supportive services are available can make a significant difference in their journey towards healing and recovery in the UAE.

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FAQs

Cancer survivors can access rehabilitation services through referral from oncologists or directly contacting specialized hospitals offering rehabilitation programs like those mentioned in the UAE.