B.C. Cancer looks to integrate rehab, exercise into patients’ care as soon as they’re diagnosed – CBC
‘Prehabilitation’ with exercise helps patients recover from cancer, says Kelowna-based doctor
Feb 17, 2026
B.C. Cancer is looking to integrate exercise into its recovery program for cancer patients as soon as they’re diagnosed, with one Kelowna doctor saying that research has shown that “prehabilitation” with exercise helps with long-term recovery.
Dr. Lauren Capozzi is B.C. Cancer’s first cancer physiatrist, according to the organization, and she’s leading an effort to add exercise into the recovery program for cancer patients in Kelowna.
Capozzi said her first-in-B.C. program seeks to integrate different specialists — physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians and speech therapists — into one team that will work with patients as soon as they’re diagnosed with cancer.
“Having that integrative team is essential because when we’re all in the same page, we can help to offer to optimize the care plan for that patient,” she said.
