How We Can Help
Are you experiencing pain, fatigue, or having difficulty completing daily tasks? Having difficulty speaking or swallowing? Are you experiencing other challenges that might be affecting your quality of life?
Without the right support, cancer-related problems can extend beyond initial care — occasionally from the disease itself, but more commonly from the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. We understand the challenges you are facing and we’re here for you.
The MedStar Cancer Rehabilitation Services team is passionate about helping you address these challenges, enabling you to positively impact your quality of life before, during, and after your cancer treatments.
The involvement of rehabilitation will maximize the cancer survivor’s ability to gain endurance and mobility, and improve activities of daily living. In addition, highly skilled Rehabilitation specialists empower the cancer survivor to gain independence and maximize the quality of his or her life.
Do you need cancer rehabilitation services?
Below are just a few of the many conditions/side effects that our therapists and physicians can help you conquer to get you back to feeling like yourself again.
- Fatigue
- Difficulty swallowing foods or speaking
- Trouble with balance or walking
- Interrupted sleep
- Reduced mental sharpness or ability to concentrate
- Pain, tingling or numbness
- Difficulty with mobility or completing daily activities
Services Offered
• Adaptive Equipment Recommendations
• Balance Training
• Cancer Related Fatigue Management
• Chemo Brain Management
• Communication Enhancement Strategies
• Coping Skills and Stress Management
• Daily Living Management
• Energy Conservation
• Gait Training
• Neuropathy Management
• Pain Management
• Swallowing Management
• Therapeutic Exercise and Strengthening
We provide a variety of cancer rehabilitation services to all patients with all types of cancer. Learn more about cancer rehabilitation treatments.
You Have Questions, We Have Answers
Dealing with cancer is a challenging experience for patients and their families. We are here to help you minimize the side effects of cancer and cancer treatments, helping you return to the activities you enjoy.
#1
QUESTION
- From Susan, Ben's daughter: My dad has cancer. He is really struggling to get through his days and seems to get down more often than we' like to see. The chemotherapy is taking its toll. His energy level, mood, even how he relates to us seems to be affected at times. We know the MedStar Cancer Program has the best cancer rehabilitation component of any health care provider in our region. How can the MedStar Cancer Rehabilitation services help my dad?
ANSWER:
- No question about it, Susan, cancer and many of the treatments used to help your dad beat cancer do take their toll on a person. More...
#2
QUESTION
- Rick regarding his wife Mary: My wife recently had a mastectomy with reconstruction immediately following. She remains very hesitant to use her arm due to pain, has some mild swelling still and insists that it will get better on its own. Is there something that the MedStar Cancer Rehabilitation Services team can do to help her improve the use of her arm, and address this swelling, or does it just get better on its own?
ANSWER
- This is a question that we hear often, where people just don’t know what the options are for post surgical rehabilitation. More...
#3
QUESTION
- This question is from Sheryl regarding her sister Tonya who has lung cancer:
I am hoping you can help. My sister is being treated for lung cancer. She is a single mother and has 2 young children. Tonya sleeps a lot during the day, feels weak and tired and has difficulty breathing during activities around the house. She is taking chemotherapy which drains her after the treatment. My sister has always been a very active person who loves being outdoors playing with her children, going to the movies and shopping at the mall. Now she sits around the house and is tired all the time. Caring for her children is becoming more and more challenging for her. I came over to take her to the lunch and she is too fatigue to even leave the house. I want to know what can be done to help Tonya return to playing with the children and being less tired during the day.
ANSWER:
- Sheryl, you asked a great question. Tonya has been through a lot with her lung cancer diagnosis and MedStar Cancer Rehabilitation Program can help her with the recovery process and provide education information for how you can help her at home. More...
#4
QUESTION:
- I have been having trouble with balance since my chemotherapy. I have not fallen, but I am afraid that I will. Is that normal?
ANSWER:
- Chemotherapy can affect your nerves causing problems with balance, in addition to other symptoms like tingling, numbness, or weakness. More...
Watch our Cancer Rehabilitation Services video

Make an Appointment
For more information about Cancer Rehabilitation Services at MedStar National Rehabilitation Network, please call
202-877-1957
Our Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist
- Patrick Martone, DO
- Katherine Power, MD
- Eric M Wisotzky, MD
Related Services
- Cancer Rehabilitation Treatments
- Pain Management Program
- Lymphedema Management
- Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
- Head and Neck Cancer Rehabilitation
Patient Resources
Publications
- Managing Breast Cancer: Download MedStar NRH Press Publication.
Financial Resources
- Family Reach Financial Handbook: Learn the financial aspects of different stages of cancer care.
- Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition: Find national, regional, and local services and assistance programs.
- American Cancer Society: Find services, educational materials, and resources.
- CancerCare: Find cancer resources by disease type.
- Triage Cancer: Find cancer education materials, like blogs and videos.
- Co-Pay Assistance
- The Assistance Fund: Find programs to assist with high out-of-pocket costs.
- The HealthWell Foundation: Find programs to assist with high out-of-pocket costs.
- PAN Foundation: Find financial assistance programs for specific diseases.
- Medicine Assistance Tool: Find financial assistance programs for prescription medication co-pays.
Healthcare Benefits
- Cancer.net: Learn about health insurance issues related to cancer.
- Patient Advocate Foundation: Find health insurance information and specific programs and benefits.
- DC Medicaid: Call 202-727-5355 to ask about DC Medicaid and general Medicaid questions.
- DC Health: Learn about DC Health Insurance options.
- Social Security Administration: Call 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) to ask about Social Security retirement and disability benefits.
Service Options in the Community
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: Find paratransit services for disabled individuals.
- MTM: Obtain free non-emergency medical transportation for, DC, Medicaid members.
- DC Department of Aging and Community Living: Find free transportation and home support services for individuals over 60-years-old.
- DC Department of Human Services: Apply for financial assistance with rent and utilities.
- Bread for the City Housing Access Program: Call 202-265-2400 to receive help finding housing through resources, educational workshops, and assistance with applications.
Support Groups
- Hope Connections for Cancer Support: Connect with a local support group for cancer patients and caregivers.
- CancerCare Support Groups: Call 800 813 4673 to find local support groups.
- IONA Support Groups: Call 202-895-9448 to find local support groups.
Food Resources
- Food & Friends: Receive delivered meals and/or groceries.
- Capital Area Food Bank: Discover local food resources.