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More people are surviving cancer than ever before. In Australia, the death rate has fallen by 24% in the past 30 years[1] and 68% of all people diagnosed with cancer will survive[2]. The speed of discovery is accelerating at a rapid rate. These figures will only improve as we continue to develop and enhance treatment methods such as genomic medicine and immunology.
Despite the incredible improvements in survival rates, we have not made a paradigm shift in the way in which cancer survivors are discharged from care. Understandably Oncologists and Haematologists focus on treating the disease and curing their patient from cancer. We believe there needs to be a greater focus on supporting patients integrate back into regular life. Up to 38% of Australians never return to work following cancer treatment[3].
Many cancer survivors:
Simonie Fox
Group Strategy Specialist Rehab & Claims
While patients undergo cancer treatment they have an extensive healthcare network to support them and, understandably, many patients become reliant on this support structure.
At AIA Australia we see the struggle that your members have once they’re discharged from the healthcare system. We’ve taken the learnings from working with cancer survivors and developed a suite of services to assist them to return back to life post-cancer. We call this suite CaRe™.
How AIA Australia supports cancer patients:
There are three components to our CaRe™ suite of services; early intervention exercise physiology, RESTORE CaRe™ and Return to Work (RTW) planning.
1. Early intervention exercise physiology
Traditionally insurers haven’t provided rehabilitation support during the treatment phase. At this time claimants are very unwell and are often undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Instead, we’ve supported these claimants financially and waited until they have completed all their treatment before providing rehabilitation services.
Previous studies have highlighted that there are in fact many benefits in exercising during cancer treatment, including:
Many patients currently aren’t accessing early intervention exercise physiology during their treatment due to a lack of available services or the cost associated with accessing these services. This is something we’re aiming to resolve. We’re able to fund exercise physiology programs that can help maintain work capacity once the claimant undergoes treatment. As a result, they’re more likely to have better health outcomes, reduced side effects and look after their mental health.
When an Exercise Physiologist is engaged early in the life of the claim, they can watch for any indication of anxiety or depression. If a risk is identified, the Exercise Physiologist can liaise with the healthcare team to ensure that a plan can be put in place sooner rather than later.
2. RESTORE CaRe™
AIA Australia has offered RESTORE™ programs for mental health claims since 2012. We’ve taken the learnings from this program to develop RESTORE CaRe™, a specific wellness program for cancer survivors to help them manage the unique challenges they face.
This holistic wellness program helps cancer patients and survivors overcome the barriers which are preventing them from enjoying life and returning to work, including exercise and mindfulness programs.
3. Return to Work (RTW) planning
Many cancer survivors look at life differently post diagnosis. They may have reduced functional capacity following their treatment and often need to go back on a graded return to work plan. AIA Australia provides occupational rehabilitation to these members, assisting them to navigate the unique challenges that cancer survivors face in their return to the workforce.
By providing this extensive suite of CaRe™ services we’re able to support our members in the way they need to help them to return to work and ultimately back to wellness.
For more information please contact your Strategic Partnership Manager or Client Development Manager.
[1] https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/facts-and-figures.html
[2] https://canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/what-cancer/cancer-australia-statistics
[3] Bradley, C. J. and H. L. Bednarek (2002) “Employment patterns of long-term cancer survivors.” Psycho-Oncology 11(3). Carter, O.
[4] Pedersen et al., Voluntary Running Suppresses Tumor Growth through Epinephrine- and IL-6-Dependent NK Cell Mobilization and Redistribution. Cell Metabolism, 2016; 23, 554–562
[5] Cramp F, Byron-Daniel J. Exercise for the management of cancer-related fatigue in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD006145. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006145.pub3
[6] Schmitz KH, Courneya KS, Matthews C, et al; American College of Sports Medicine. American College of Sports Medicine roundtable on exercise guidelines for cancer survivors. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010; 42: 1409-1426
[7] Winters-Stone KM, Dobek J, Nail L, et al. Strength training stops bone loss and builds muscle in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors: a randomized, controlled trial. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2011; 127: 447-456
[8] Courneya KS, Segal RJ, Mackey JR, et al. Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. J Clin Oncol. 2007; 25: 4396-4404
[9] Dimeo F, Stieglitz R, Novelli-Fischer U, Fetscher S, Keul J. Effects of physical activity on the fatigue and psychologic status of cancer patients during chemotherapy. Cancer 1999; 85(10):2273–7