Australian Physiotherapy Association

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is the peak professional body representing more than 35,000 physiotherapists across Australia. The APA’s Cancer, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema Group represents over 300 physiotherapists who specialise in oncology, palliative care, and lymphoedema management.

In 2023, the APA became an official affiliate member of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA), cementing our ongoing commitment to supporting and collaborating with COSA and other relevant organisations. This partnership underscores our shared goals of advancing advocacy, research, and professional excellence. Many of our members have actively contributed to COSA groups, such as the Exercise and Geriatric Oncology Groups and Multimorbidity Special Interest Group, demonstrating the broad scope of physiotherapy’s role in multidisciplinary cancer care.

As the role of physiotherapists within oncology care continues to evolve, this report highlights recent activities, key areas of focus, and relevant publications that underscore the value of physiotherapy in improving cancer patient outcomes.

The Role of Physiotherapy in Cancer Care

The APA Cancer, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema Group represents physiotherapists practising across a wide range of settings, from emergency and ICU to community-based services and private practice. Physiotherapy is integral to the rehabilitation and management of cancer patients, addressing both immediate and long-term physical challenges arising from cancer and its treatments. The primary areas in which physiotherapists make a significant contribution to oncology care include:

• • Peri/Post-operative Care and Discharge Planning: Ensuring a seamless transition from hospital to home with comprehensive rehabilitation strategies to promote recovery and reduce complications.
  • Exercise Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation: Focusing on optimising a patient's physical function prior to treatment (prehabilitation) and restoring strength, mobility, and overall physical capacity post-treatment (rehabilitation).
  • Lymphoedema and Scar Management: Managing the physical consequences of cancer treatments, particularly for breast, gynaecological, and pelvic cancers, through techniques such as manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, and scar tissue mobilisation.
  • Pelvic Health and Continence Management: Addressing pelvic floor dysfunction and continence issues that may arise as a result of cancer treatments, particularly in cancers affecting the pelvic region.
  • Pain Management: Using evidence-based strategies such as exercise therapy, manual techniques, and physical modalities to alleviate cancer-related pain and improve quality of life.
  • Palliative and End-of-Life Care: Providing symptomatic relief and optimising functional capacity for patients with advanced cancer, contributing to comfort and quality of life during palliative care.

Recent Professional Development Initiatives

In 2025, we continue to support the professional development of our members by delivering a diverse range of education sessions focused on emerging issues and advanced techniques in oncology physiotherapy. Key topics, to date, include:

• • Cording/Axillary Web Syndrome: Understanding the presentation, management, and rehabilitation strategies for this common post-surgical complication in breast cancer patients.
  • Breast Cancer and Pelvic Health: Exploring the interconnections between breast cancer treatment and pelvic health outcomes, especially in relation to pelvic floor dysfunction.
  • Cardiotoxicity and the Role of Exercise in Cancer: Addressing the cardiovascular implications of certain cancer treatments, and how exercise can mitigate these risks.
  • Pain Presentation in Palliative Care: Equipping physiotherapists with the tools to assess and manage pain effectively in the context of palliative care.
  • Advances in Breast Cancer Surgery and Reconstruction: Providing updated insights into innovative surgical techniques and the implications for rehabilitation.
  • Melanoma: Insights into Immunotherapy, Surgery, and Recovery for Physiotherapists: Offering knowledge on the latest advancements in melanoma treatment, including immunotherapy and recovery strategies.

These sessions were facilitated by expert clinicians including surgeons, oncologists, palliative care physicians and exercise scientists, fostering interprofessional collaboration and knowledge exchange. We are always looking to expand this network, and if you or your organisation would like to present or share insights, please email.

Key Advocacy Submissions

The APA continues to advocate for improvements in cancer care through key submissions to both national and state bodies. Notable submissions in 2025, to date, include:

• • National Lung Cancer Screening Program Guidelines: Advocating for the inclusion of physiotherapy and allied health bodies to support the national lung cancer screening program rollout.
  • Lymphoedema: Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Funding List: Supporting the inclusion of lymphoedema management equipment on the government’s assistive technology funding list to ensure better access for patients in need.
  • NDIS Allied Health Funding Cuts: Opposing cuts to allied health funding within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which impacts cancer patients with complex needs.

Key Publications and Research

The APA Cancer, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema Group actively engages with emerging research and the latest publications that impact the role of physiotherapy in oncology care. Recent articles of interest include:

• • Structured Exercise after Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer (CHALLENGE Trial): Exploring the benefits of structured exercise programs for colon cancer patients post-chemotherapy.
  • A Systematic Review of Exercise-Based Cancer Rehabilitation Programs Worldwide: Availability and Content: Providing an overview of current exercise rehabilitation programs and their content across different cancer types globally.
  • 5 Facts about Prostate Cancer and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: Offering key insights into the importance of pelvic health physiotherapy in the management of prostate cancer.

These publications serve to inform clinical practice and provide evidence for the critical role of physiotherapists in cancer care.

The APA would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to COSA for the continued support of its special interest groups and for facilitating a collaborative environment for healthcare professionals across disciplines. We also acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our members, who continue to set new benchmarks in cancer care through their expertise and innovation.

Welcoming Opportunities to Collaborate

As always, the APA is eager to connect with other organisations and to support efforts that align with our mission to improve cancer care. If your organisation is engaged in advocacy, projects, or educational initiatives that could benefit our members and support the broader multidisciplinary team, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate.

For more information or to engage with the APA Cancer, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema Group, please email.

Germaine Tan
Chair, Australian Physiotherapy Association Cancer, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema National Group