Andrea Leiserowitz

Physical Therapist, Oncology Specialist

Manager of the Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), Andréa Leiserowitz and staff work to strengthen and rehabilitate people who have been diagnosed and treated for cancer. She’s now also vital to a new initiative at SCCA called the Cancer Prevention Clinic.

Inspired by a friend who lost his mobility and had severe pain and swelling during the final year of his fight against cancer, Leiserowitz went into physical therapy training and hoped to be able to help improve the lives of other people like her friend.

An unmet need for cancer patients nationwide, Leiserowitz says patients elsewhere are not typically being taught how to exercise properly during their chemotherapy or radiation treatments.  Cancer patients may have other problems that predispose them to be weak  have risk of falling, fractures, infections, or pain. Physical therapists can help people be strong and functional while undergoing treatments for cancer. They can also help people avoid illness altogether, which is why Leiserowitz decided to become involved with Cancer Prevention Clinic at SCCA.

“I decided to become involved because I feel that more attention needs to be focused on reducing personal cancer risk for our community,” Leiserowitz says. “Our current health-care system runs on treatment of known disease rather than prevention of cancer. Consistent comprehensive exercise and weight loss can help prevent certain types of cancer.  I feel it's critical to empower patients to reduce cancer risk in their lifetime.

“Everyone knows that they should exercise consistently and/or lose weight”, she says but many have not had an evaluation by a professional.  People benefit from specific physical therapy instruction tailored to each person's needs,” she says.