AWP region webinar: Cancer rehabilitation in the Asia Western Pacific region

Cancer rehabilitation in the Asia Western Pacific region

This free webinar is only open to members of World Physiotherapy member organisations in the Asia Western Pacific region. Attendees will receive a certificate for 1.0 hour of continuing professional development.

Date and time

Wednesday 6 May 2026, 09:30–10:30 UTC. Check your local time

Speakers

Chris McHardy, member of the Australian Physiotherapy Society
Nipa Shah, member of the Indian Association of Physiotherapists.
Lecturer at SBB College of Physiotherapy, VS Hospital, Ahmedabad, India
Moderator: Marco Pang, chair Asia Western Pacific region executive committee

Session outline

This webinar will address the topic of cancer care from two different angles: the first presenter will address the topic from an Australian perspective, discussing the exercise landscape, referral pathways and needed behavioural change. The second presentation will then focus on breast cancer treatment of related impairments and the improvement of function and quality of life – from an Indian perspective.

After the presentations the floor will be open for questions and any related discussions.

Chris McHardy: Cancer recovery and strength: the Australian oncology exercise landscape, referral pathways and needed behavioural change

Chris McHardy is a physiotherapist who has worked across orthopaedic, cancer rehabilitation and private practice.

His Honours thesis, and continual research, focuses on behavioural change and improving access to lymphoedema and exercise rehabilitation for cancer survivors, to optimise medical treatment outcomes, reduce recurrence and improve psychological wellbeing.

Chris takes an exercise psychology and individualised mindset approach to his rehabilitation, a firm believer that with goal setting, a positive mindset and empathetic support, you will become your best self.

Chris has a background career in the film and television industry, producing health education content for Cancer Institute NSW and the broader education sector. His work in clinician education (reducing fear of cancer recurrence) has been adopted by the McGrath Breast Foundation.

A filmmaker, father and avid swimmer, Chris brings a Zen philosophy to strength exercise training, drawing on the power of the mind to overcome adversity.

Presentation objectives

By the end of this presentation, participants will be understand:

What is happening in Australia - Our approach as a multi-disciplinary team covering physiotherapy, massage, Pilates and strength conditioning classes; and broadly the oncology rehabilitation services available across the nation.
Behavioural change needed to improve oncology exercise education and referral: a real-world example, understanding who makes the referral and a framework you can use to strengthen referral pathways in your hospital/ practice.

References

The Oncology Rehabilitation in Australia National Survey
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajco.70003
The CHALLENGE Trial Courneya, K, Vardy, J, O'Callaghan, C, Gill, S, Friedenreich, C, Wong, R, Booth, C. (2025). Structured Exercise after Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 393, 13-25. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2502760

Nipa Shah: Evolving paradigms in breast cancer rehabilitation

Nipa Shah is a dedicated Physiotherapy professional with over 25 years of clinical and academic experience, currently serving as a Lecturer at SBB College of Physiotherapy, VS Hospital, Ahmedabad, India.

Nipa specialises in oncology physiotherapy, focusing on cancer rehabilitation and improving patients' quality of life through evidence-based, individualised care. She is a certified Lymphedema Therapist through the internationally recognised ACOLS program, USA, accredited by LANA, providing advanced expertise in managing lymphedema in breast, uterine, and head and neck cancers.

Nipa is a postgraduate and PhD academic guide, has contributed book chapters, published numerous papers in world-class academic journals, and actively participates in national and international conferences as a speaker, panellist, and researcher.