Course Description:

This course provides learners with evidence-informed approaches and strategies for the medical management and cancer rehabilitation of people living with and beyond (PLWB) colorectal cancer. Surgical management for some PLWB colorectal cancer includes ostomy placement. While it may be temporary, it significantly impacts the individual's functional mobility and activity, transfers, sleep, nutrition, occupations, and engagement in community and occupational roles. Clinicians' ability to assess and develop safe and effective therapeutic interventions to address this functional change is critical to improving physical function and the psychosocial impact this change in bowel function can have for many PWLB colorectal cancer. PLWB advanced colorectal cancer are often managed with platinum-based and anti-metabolite chemotherapy. These agents can lead to neurotoxicity and mucositis- adverse effects that further impact function through impaired balance, fine motor coordination, malnutrition, and changes in bowel control. These effects can start during active systemic treatment and continue into survivorship for some. A subgroup of PLWB colorectal cancer will have radiation. Rehab clinicians must be aware of the acute and latent adverse effects to most effectively screen, assess, treat, or refer based on their findings. This course will provide clinicians with the foundational knowledge of the medical management of colorectal cancer, potential adverse effects of cancer and its treatment, and rehabilitation considerations for this population from the time of diagnosis through prospective surveillance in survivorship.