Leading B.C. in Cancer Rehabilitation

From diagnosis to recovery, Dr. Lauren Capozzi, B.C.’s first cancer physiatrist is transforming care – and inspiring hope. 

Cancer treatment can leave lasting physical challenges — from pain and fatigue to reduced mobility — yet until recently, there was no physical medicine & rehabilitation service within BC Cancer. 

That gap is exactly what brought Dr. Lauren Capozzi home to Kelowna. As B.C.’s first cancer physiatrist (physical medicine & rehabilitation specialist), she is helping patients rebuild strength, function and confidence at every stage of their cancer journey.  

“We start working with patients right after diagnosis,” she explains. “Prehabilitation can help patients tolerate treatment better and improve outcomes. During treatment, we work to prevent decline in physical function and manage symptoms to optimize treatment tolerance. And after treatment, we focus on restoring function and quality of life, and managing side effects including neuropathies, lymphedema, joint range of motion issues and many others.” 

Dr. Capozzi is one of only nine cancer physiatrists in Canada. After training in cancer rehab programs in Alberta and Ontario, she saw an opportunity to help build something new for patients in B.C. — and fulfill a lifelong ambition.  

“I grew up in Kelowna and went into this field because my dad had cancer,” she shares. “He always told me to give back to the community that gave so much to us. It’s been my dream to return and build a program here in his honour. I know if he had access to rehab, it would have changed his trajectory.” 

Filling a Critical Gap in Care 

Before Dr. Capozzi arrived, rehabilitation support within BC Cancer was limited, with only two physiotherapists dedicated to this work in Vancouver. Many patients were living with pain, fatigue or mobility challenges without a clear pathway to specialized support. 

“Research shows that between 60 to 90% of people with cancer can benefit from rehabilitation services,” she says. “There is a tremendous opportunity to support people in ways that can change their daily lives, help improve their function and return to work and activities that are meaningful to them.” 

To help bridge this gap, Dr. Capozzi is developing Kelowna’s program as a model that can inform how rehabilitation grows across the province. The vision: rehabilitation fully embedded in cancer care, working alongside existing BC Cancer Supportive Care services — like psychosocial oncology, palliative care, physiotherapy, nutrition and speech therapy — helping more patients access the care they need, closer to home. 

Innovation Through Research and Technology 

Dr. Capozzi is also contributing new research with the potential to transform supportive care across B.C. She points to a landmark study published last year showing that structured exercise programs for colon cancer patients can significantly improve survival and reduce recurrence. 

The challenge now is finding a way to bring these benefits to more patients in a sustainable way. 

With support from the BC Cancer Foundation–funded UBC AI and Health Fellows Program, she is developing tools that use artificial intelligence (AI) to help people follow personalized, safe exercise plans with guidance from real clinicians.  

“We know exercise saves lives,” she says. “Using technology is one way we can extend this support to every patient who needs it.” 

Building a Provincial Model of Care 

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Capozzi serves as BC Cancer’s first provincial medical director of cancer rehabilitation. That means shaping how rehabilitation integrates into Supportive Care across the province.

“Rehabilitation is essential to improving quality of life and independence throughout the cancer journey,” says Dr. Paris-Ann Ingledew, Chief Medical Officer, BC Cancer. “Through the recruitment of Dr. Capozzi and with support from the BC Cancer Foundation, we’re building a more coordinated, compassionate and culturally safe approach to rehabilitation — one that supports patients from diagnosis through recovery across the province.” 

Dr. Capozzi’s long‑term vision is to build coordinated rehabilitation teams that improve function, reduce side effects, support mental health and help people live well during and after treatment.

“We want rehabilitation to be a routine part of cancer care. It should not be optional or something patients have to search for on their own,” she says.

With donor support, the BC Cancer Foundation aims to help Dr. Capozzi fulfill her vision and bring care closer to home for more patients.