Cancer Treatment–Related Infertility: Understanding the Risks, Options, and the Role of Rehab
Cancer Treatment–Related Infertility: Understanding the Risks, Options, and the Role of Rehab
1 hour
The instructors
Overview
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, with increasing incidence in younger populations. While survival rates have improved thanks to advances in treatment, many patients face long-term consequences, including the potential for cancer treatment-related infertility.
This free webinar will provide an introductory overview of breast cancer, including risk factors, early signs and symptoms, and briefly review the different types of breast cancer. We’ll then explore the impact of cancer treatments on fertility, outlining preservation strategies and support options available to patients. Special attention will be given to the unique and growing role that physiotherapists can play in breast cancer rehabilitation and in addressing fertility-related concerns as part of a holistic, patient-centered approach to care.
Whether you're new to oncology rehab or looking to expand your understanding of the broader impacts of cancer treatment, this session will offer valuable clinical insight.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
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Understand the current incidence and epidemiological trends of breast cancer.
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Identify common risk factors, signs, and symptoms associated with various types of breast cancer.
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Recognize how cancer treatments can affect fertility in patients of reproductive age.
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Discuss fertility preservation options and considerations for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
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Describe the role of physiotherapists in the continuum of care for breast cancer survivors, including in the context of fertility-related concerns.
Audience
This webinar is designed for:
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Physiotherapists and rehabilitation professionals
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Oncology care providers
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Pelvic health specialists
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Students and residents in healthcare programs
🩺 About the Webinar Series
This is the 1st session in the Let’s Talk Pelvic Health: 2025 Webinar Series for Health Care Professionals. You can register for this individual webinar or sign up for the entire free series.
We’ll open this inaugural session with an introduction from Carolyn Vandyken, who will set the stage for the series and its central theme: applying the biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) model in clinical practice. This series aims to explore how this integrative approach—which addresses the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of health—can be effectively applied in pelvic health care. Each webinar will provide practical insights into using the BPSS lens for assessment, treatment, and communication. From managing complex pain conditions to supporting patients through transitions like menopause, we’ll examine how a whole-person approach can lead to more meaningful, impactful care.
✅ CEU-Accredited Across the U.S.
We’re proud to share that Embodia is now an Approved CEU Provider for physiotherapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in 32 U.S. states, with 10 more pending. This webinar—and the full series—is eligible for CEU credits for participants in approved states. You can learn which US States/Jurisdictions Embodia can provide CEUs by visiting this guide.
🌍 Live or On-Demand Access
This webinar will be hosted live on Thursday, September 18th, from 12:30–1:30 PM EDT.
Can't make it live? Replays will be available for registered participants and those on the notification list —so you won’t miss a thing.
⚠️ Please note: This webinar is limited to 500 live attendees. Kindly register only if you plan to attend live to ensure space for others. If you cannot attend live, please join the notification list.
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Live Webinar Time: Thursday, September 18th, from 12:30–1:30 PM EDT
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Can’t attend live? No problem!
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Replays will be available on Embodia’s YouTube channel
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Webinar recordings will also be accessible for free for 1 week following the live session on the Embodia platform
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To earn CEUs, U.S. PTs must:
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Access the recorded course on Embodia
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Complete the evaluation and exam
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Download your CEU certificate
Expand your pelvic health toolkit and support your clients with confidence.
Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of pessary care and its role in physiotherapy practice.
The instructors
MSc, PT, CDT (CS), CLT-LANA, Clinical Specialist- Oncology
Marize graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Kinesiology and Physical Education and attained a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from McGill University. Marize is a member of both the Professional Order of Physiotherapy of Quebec (OPPQ) and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). She is also an Oncology division member of the CPA and attained the designation of Clinical Specialist Oncology by the Physiotherapy Specialty Certification Board of Canada in 2020.
Marize’s continued engagement in oncology rehabilitation-related research demonstrates her professional leadership and commitment to advancing the science and practice of physical therapy. She has been actively involved in the advancement and dissemination of knowledge through publications in peer-reviewed journals such as Current Oncology, The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, Journal of Cancer Survivorship, Clinical Breast Cancer, International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology, and Rehabilitation Process and Outcome. As a co-principal investigator and clinical supervisor at McGill University, she participated in developing an evidence-based educational resource tool to help minimize fractures in patients with bone metastasis using a patient-education resources education booklet.
She is also a co-coordinator of the Oncology Rehabilitation course offered through the School of Physical and Occupation Therapy at McGill University and has taught continuing education courses to licensed physical therapists (through the OPPQ and CPA). She has presented at national (i.e., Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto) and international (i.e., India) conferences in different capacities, but primarily as an Invited Guest Speaker.
Marize is also a licensed Casley-Smith Lymphedema Therapist and a certified Lymphedema therapist with the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA). She is working at the McGill University Hospital Center Lymphedema Clinic with the well renowned Dr. Towers and her multidisciplinary team. She is Bone Fit Trained Specialist through Osteoporosis Canada and has specialized training in posture and movement system imbalance. In her spare time, Marize is a Canadian National Paralympic Medical Swimming Classifier who volunteers with an incredible and inspiring group of Canadian para-swimming athletes across the country, and currently working towards becoming an International Classifier with the ultimate goal of attending the Paralympic Games.